Ah yes, its that time of the year- where trade rumors from every source, illegitimate and legitimate, are flung about like spitballs when the classroom is being presided over by a substitute teacher. It seems like every armchair GM has a healthy opinion on what to do, who to get, what to send in return; obviously how we, as rubes, view the value of our players and prospects are skewed, so some trade proposals thrown about can be downright laughable. (Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Brian Rolston for Saku Koivu? Surely you jest.)

Now, as for Minnesota. GM Doug Risebrough was hot to trot for Peter Forsberg, who continually teases every fan, player, GM, and Owner with a possible return, janky feet or not. And when round after round of cuts came through the media, Minnesota remained in the pool of contenders; perhaps we were in it, and perhaps we weren’t. However, since the door to Forsberg has all been shut (maybe his feet wouldn’t be so bad if he didn’t use them to keep the door from slamming shut), Risebrough is looking elsewhere. Olli Jokinen is fashionable this time of the year annually; the hapless Florida Panthers are looking toward working on the continual rebuilding process again. Again this year the tensions between Jokinen and Coach/GM/Czar Jacques Martin have bubbled to the surface, only fueling these rumors of Jokinen’s departure.

Mike Russo, the beat reporter for the Star Tribune, had long been talking Jokinen; its not that he may know something, but he did spend a few years covering the Panthers in Miami; so more often than not there is an allusion to something Florida Panther in his blog. But as time goes on, it seems that the Jokinen to Minnesota rumor may have some legs. Suddenly people are talking about maybe we could put forth an attractive package of Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Benoit Pouliot and a pick or two for Jokinen, a big, strong, goal-scoring center, who is under contract for $5.5 million for the next two years.

(of course, I just went armchair GM with the proposed package; however, I think of all the “core” players, Bouchard would be deemed most expendable)

We need a center; Pavol Demitra and Brian Rolston are better suited on the wing. So that leaves Mikko Koivu, Eric Belanger, and James Sheppard as the only “true Lemaire Centers.” So in case of injury, whatever center depth there is would be shot. So not only has there been the Jokinen talk, but there was some speculation fueled by people seeing Risebrough and Columbus GM Scott Howson talking at length at the recent GM Meetings in Naples- Howson just happens to have Sergei Fedorov and Mike Peca on his roster. Both are playoff tested veterans, and presumably would be a good fit.

But, the waiting is the hardest part; Any fan (including myself) wants to see things happen, and have reasons to feel even more optimistic about their team.