Please Phoenix, Don't Trade Olli Jokinen!!!

As the trade deadline approaches, it is only assumed that the Phoenix Coyotes, who have gone from fifth place in the Western Conference to two points out of last place, will be sellers yet again.  But is this what they really want to do?  Basically tell your fan(s) that you are tossing in the towel for this season and therefore discouraging even more people from coming to the games?

The big name from the Coyotes that is being floated around the rumor mill is prized off-season acquisition Olli Jokinen. Sure, Jokinen is having his worst statistical season since the lockout, but he is going through what is known as The Coyote Curse.

Every big-name player that has come through the Coyotes' organization has had their worst statistical season of their career in their first year with the Coyotes. Remember when the Coyotes signed Tony Amonte in the off-season of 2002 and it was one of the biggest signings that summer?  What happened?  Amonte went from posting at least 60 points in each of his last seven seasons, to only getting 36 points in 56 games for the Coyotes. 

When we signed Brett Hull in the off-season of 2005, he suffered so bad he had to retire.  Other players that suffered it were Cliff Ronning, Mike Ricci, Chris Gratton, and Petr Nedved.  Even Ed Jovanovski had his worst statistical year his first season with the Yotes, but we held on to him and he ended up having his best statistical year the following year.

This is just a phase that Olli is going through, because he has been used as the only go-to guy for so long. With the Coyotes, he is no longer the only person who can actually score, so he doesn’t need to do it on his own.  I truly think we need to give Olli until this time next year to be that player to boost us into the playoffs, and if we are in this same position next year then deal him for some draft picks. 

Olli is a superstar in this league, but just needs to continue getting comfortable with his surroundings. There were reports quoting GM Don Maloney saying that Jokinen was just not a good fit for the Coyotes because they are such a young team.

Uh, the same Jokinen that just tallied 89, 91, and 71 points the previous three years playing with the always-rebuilding young Florida Panthers? Jokinen Is the perfect fit for this team because of his burnig desire to finally taste the playoffs, just like every other Coyotes player. but just needs to come to his senses that he doesn’t need to try so hard to be the only person to score because it is obviously making him struggle. He needs to ease up just a little bit, relax and play with

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?