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Photo: Gosh via flickr.com
When the Florida Panthers decided to hold onto Jay Bouwmeester at the trade deadline, everyone knew the reality. Florida was hoping Bouwmeester would help push the Panthers into the postseason for the first time since 2000, even though he would most likely walk on July 1st. Unfortunately, the playoffs slipped away, and it seemed almost certain that Bouwmeester would do the same in a matter of days.
Then the news came this morning that acting general manager Randy Sexton had traded away Jay Bouwmeester’s rights to the Calgary Flames in exchange for free agent defenceman Jordan Leopold and a 3rd round pick, 67th overall. While not a miracle deal, midnight steal, it definitely made the best of a bad situation. I think we all agree; Something is better than nothing.
Now J. Bo is playing in the hockey-crazy market he so desperately craved, reunited with Olli Jokinen, and could create quite the pairing with Dion Phaneuf (they were #1-#2 in ice time last season). Meanwhile, Jordan Leopold will become a free agent on July 1st, so there is no guarantee that he will be a Panther next season. However, one would assume Florida knew this risk and had talks with Leopold and his agent to gain some insight into his frame of mind before pulling the string on the deal. He’s a solid defenceman in his own right, and could fit in well with the Panthers and head coach Pete DeBoer’s aggressive system, should he decide to sign. A top 4 of Brian McCabe, Bryan Allen, Keith Ballard, and Leopold is not too shabby. Should free agents Karlis Skrastins and Steve Eminger decide to stay in Florida, and it’s a solid top 6. If AHL prospects Keaton Ellerby, Jason Garrison, or first round draft choice Dmitri Kulikov sooner rather than later, and Bouwmeester might not be missed too badly. Now, the Panthers just need to sign someone who can put the puck in the net July 1st, and there could be an optimism seeping out of south Florida that has not been felt in over a decade in Pantherland.
Some Other Posts You May Enjoy:
Weekly Jay Bouwmeester Update
Florida Panthers’ Biggest Move Was Not Making One
The “Sutterites” Are In; Cammalleri, Leopold And Aucoin Are Out
Bouwmeester Signs in Calgary; Summer of the Blueline?
Oshie, Blues Leave Flames with Little to Celebrate
The Jay Bouwmeester Article
Hold the phones, Karl. J-Bo’s not signed, sealed and delivered to Calgary just yet. Sutter still needs his signature on paper first. If I recall right, Tampa traded for Brian Rolston’s rights to negotiate a deal from Minnesota and the end of last year, and he promptly waited until July 1st to sign with New Jersey. This is a degree of risk with these kinds of deals, and if Sutter sees Bouwmeester sign elsewhere, then he’s left with egg on his face being out TWO D-men (after sending Leopold to sunny FLA). But like you said, at least the ‘Cats wound up with SOMETHING for J-Bo’s time in Sunrise.
Very true, Super Dave. I guess I should have been more clear with the trading of the negotiation rights and not the actual player, and what COULD be, instead of what is. Leopold is no guarantee to sign with Florida either.
Yeah, the mere thought of a pairing of Bouwmeester with either Phaneuf or Regher should have Flames fans excited. It’s a shame the Panthers never really had a shot at re-signing J-Bo. Karl, do you think if Florida had made the playoffs that Bouwmeester would’ve stayed?
I think it would have been a minor miracle to see Bouwmeester a Panther for another season, regardless of how last season ended. He’s refused any kind of talks about a long term deal, always looking forward to testing the market come Wednesday. He wants to be in a hockey market on a winning team (doesn’t everyone?)
That, and I don’t know if his dad would have let him back in the house if he had re-signed with Florida… some fun quotes out of him regarding the Panthers…