Florida Panthers Trade of Olli Jokinen Affects Rochester Americans

The NHL held its 2008 entry level draft on Friday night in Ottawa, and the night did indirectly impact the Rochester Americans.

Olli Jokinen has been on the chopping block in Florida almost every season for the past eight years. This year, it actually happened.

The Florida Panthers traded Jokinen to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for defenseman Keith Ballard (21 points in 82 games in the 2007-08 season with Phoenix), defenseman Nick Boynton (12 points in 79 games last season) and the 49th overall pick.

The Florida Panthers still didn’t have a first-round draft pick this season. So, the first draft day was only truly interesting to major Amerks’ fans through any trades the Panthers made.

This lowers the possibility that Panther prospect Shawn Matthias will ever see time in a Rochester Americans uniform. The Panthers will be in desperate need of some scoring and Matthias has the potential to fulfill that role.

In four games with the Panthers last season, he scored two goals. It does open the door even further for the Panthers to sign a veteran center to lead the Amerks.

With the Panthers trading for two defensemen, the chances of current defensive prospects making the jump to the show are greatly diminished. The Amerks' defensive roster will most likely consist of Keaton Ellerby, Franklin MacDonald, Jordan Henry, Peter Aston, Luke Beaverson, and Michael Caruso.

These kids show promise, but they also show the Panthers' need for a veteran defenseman and goalie to get through the tough times.

Here is a rundown of the rest of the first round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft:

There were 13 trades in the first round this year. This is an outstanding amount, considering between 2003-2007 there were never more than five trades that took place in any of the first rounds.

The first round trades from this year are as follows:

Cammellari was traded to the Flames for their 17th pick overall in the first round.

Pick No. 25 (Montreal) and second round in 2009 to Calgary in exchange for #138 pick (Flames) and Alex Tanguay.

Leafs traded picks No. 7 this year and either (pick No. 60 this year and Toronto’s 3rd round pick in 2009) or (No. 68 this year and second round from 2009) to the Islanders for their No. 5 pick.

Columbus Blue Jackets trade Pick No. 19 and third round this year to Philly for R.J. Umberger and a fourth round pick this year.

Islanders trade No. 7 pick to Nashville for the No. 9 pick and the No. 40 pick.

Buffalo Sabres traded pick No. 13 this year and third round pick in 2009 for Kings’ pick No. 12.

Nashville trades No. 15 to Ottawa for No. 18 and third pick in 2009

Devils traded pick No. 21 to Washington for Nos. 23 and 54

Devils trade No. 23 pick to Wild for pick No. 24 and third pick in 2009

Flyers trade No. 27 pick to Capitals for Steve Eminger and pick No. 84 this year

Ducks trade pick No. 28 to Phoenix for Nos. 35 and 39 this year

Here are the first 30 picks in the 2008 Draft:

1. Lightning: Steve Stamkos
2. Kings: Drew Doughty
3. Thrashers: Zach Bogosian
4. Blues: Alex Pietrangelo
5. Leafs: Luke Schenn
6. Blue Jackets: Nikita Filatov
7. Nashville: Colin Wilson
8. Coyotes: Mikkel Boedker
9. Islanders: Josh Bailey
10. Canucks (RIP Luc): Cody Hodgson
11. Blackhawks: Kyle Beach
12. Sabres: Tyler Myers
13. Kings: Colten Teubert
14. Hurricanes: Zach Boychuk
15. Senators: Erik Karlsson
16. Bruins: Joe Colborne
17. Ducks: Jake Gardiner
18. Nashville: Chet Pickard (first goaltender selection)
19. Flyers: Luca Sbisa
20. Rangers: Michael DelZotto
21. Capitals:- Anton Gustafsson
22. Oilers: Jordan Eberle
23. Wild: Tyler Cuma
24. Devils: Mattias Tedenby
25. Flames (RIP Mickey): Greg Nemisz
26. Sabres: Tyler Ennis
27. Capitals: John Carlson
28. Coyotes: Viktor Tikhonov
29. Thrashers: Daultan Leveille
30. Red Wings: Thomas McCollum