[News] Olli Jokinen talks about his career

[FireGilbert]

Awesome, the chicken and fish story is hilarious. I always liked Olli as a player and it's a shame he wasn't the missing piece on a Flames cup team.

Also, wow at the Chicago series revelations. That deserves its own thread.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

This is absolutely fascinating. Of course, until some of these things are verified (i.e. the Chicago series drinking story) we have to take it with a grain of salt. That being said, Jokinen doesn't strike me as someone who lies or makes stuff up to make himself look better.

[nfotiu]

It's an interesting article, and I'm sure there is truth to everything. But, he is striking me as one of those holier than though recovering alcoholics. Because he had problems with the bottle, he sees everyone else who has a couple drinks as having a problem too.

[Husky]

I'm wondering if amonte and McCarty were bad apples.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Yeah but now he's an FA. I wonder if anybody will knock on his door.

To me this sounds like an interview to wrap up his career and he doesn't plan on coming back.

[Erick Estrada]

Players boozing things up in the playoffs in this day and age is surprising. Not surprising though as there was something wrong with that team as the day Darryl stepped down from coaching the team it was like the inmates were running the asylum. A group of players decided they didn't like Playfair and it appears the team was divided under Keenan as some liked playing with no structure while players like Regehr weren't as fond. Brent tried to reign them in but it was probably too late with the culture being rooted deep. Things only changed when the roster turned over.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Husky

I'm wondering if amonte and McCarty were bad apples.

They were gone two years before Jokinen got here.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by AC

Olli got a bad wrap here, largely due to his inability to find chemistry with Iginla. Yet Iggy has only had chemistry with a handful of players in his career.

McAmmond/Conroy obviously, Huselius/Langkow, Lucic/Krejci.

Tanguay as well.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by jeep991

What happened?

Both TSN and Fan960 went from stunned shock to outright mockery, on air, when the signing was announced. Neither ever apologized for their behaviour, and neither ever came back to admit they were wrong.

[Frank MetaMusil]

Does Jokinen not recall that Phaneuf, Sarich, Regehr, Gio, Warrener, Langkow, Bertuzzi, Conroy, and Bourque all had various injuries going into the playoffs?

Sure the Flames were supposed to win that series, but they were just decimated.

[AC]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Tanguay as well.

D'oh. Of course.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Frank MetaMusil

Does Jokinen not recall that Phaneuf, Sarich, Regehr, Gio, Warrener, Langkow, Bertuzzi, Conroy, and Bourque all had various injuries going into the playoffs?

Sure the Flames were supposed to win that series, but they were just decimated.

Did the boozing help or hurt those injuries I wonder?

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Tanguay as well.

Cammalleri...

Think AC is out to lunch here IMO.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Cammalleri...

Think AC is out to lunch here IMO.

So is that 8 players over 10 years with 3 different teams?

Doesn't sound like a lot.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

So is that 8 players over 10 years with 3 different teams?

Doesn't sound like a lot.

No, but why would it? He and Conroy were paired up together for 5 of those 10 years, leaving little opportunity for other centres to become regular linemates. Likewise, Langkow was paired with him for four, until Keenan inexplicably demoted Daymond for Bertuzzi. Tanguay and Iginla were also regular linemates for five years. Cammalleri for three, McAmmond for two, etc. Not a lot of ice time left for other players.

[mikephoen]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

So is that 8 players over 10 years with 3 different teams?

Doesn't sound like a lot.

Well, most of those guys he played with for more than a few years each. He also played pretty well with Crosby and Sakic in a couple of Olympics.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

No, but why would it? He and Conroy were paired up together for 5 of those 10 years, leaving little opportunity for other centres to become regular linemates. Likewise, Langkow was paired with him for four, until Keenan inexplicably demoted Daymond for Bertuzzi. Tanguay and Iginla were also regular linemates for five years. Cammalleri for three, McAmmond for two, etc. Not a lot of ice time left for other players.

Did other centres have little opportunity to become his linemates because Conroy was so good or because Iginla didn't have chemistry with anyone else?

If that is the case, why was the popular refrain from Flames fans circa 2003-2012 that the team needs to find a centre for Iginla to play with?

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

So is that 8 players over 10 years with 3 different teams?

Doesn't sound like a lot.

Savard too, before his exile.

Iginla not being able to play with guys is completely overblown and even fabricated IMO. If he wasn't able to fit with guys, it's because players were put on his line that had no business being there...see dark years for reference.

[bax]

Originally Posted by mikephoen

Well, most of those guys he played with for more than a few years each. He also played pretty well with Crosby and Sakic in a couple of Olympics.

Not to mention his time in Boston, he had a really good year there. He was grossly misused by Bylsma in Pittsburgh as well

[troutman]

Later we found out half the team had been drinking for two days. The sun is shining and the terrace's are open, it was such a big disappointment to hear after the season, that some guys had had something else in mind.

Was there a party atmosphere on the team going back to 2004? Did that cost them some wins?