Jokinen for Marleau?

Larry Brooks of the New York Post reports that the Florida Panthers are trying to put together a deal that would send forward Olli Jokinen to the San Jose Sharks.

In exchange, it’s believed that the Panthers would want Sharks forward Patrick Marleau.

Meanwhile, Brian Biggane of the Palm Beach Post suggests that the Dallas Stars may also be a strong candidate to acquire Jokinen. Dallas scouts have attended several recent Panthers games, apparently.

Adding Jokinen would no doubt improve the Stars’ chances of winning another Stanley Cup this season, but it also give the team a replacement for when 37-year-old forward Mike Modano retires.

Some have suggested that if Jokinen is shipped to the Lone Star State, the Panthers could receive a package consisting of “left winger James Neal (20), defensemen Niklas Grossman (23), Ivan Vishnevsky (20) and Phillippe Boucher (34) and a first-round pick.”

However, Biggane is unconvinced the Panthers have decided to move their best forward before the February 26 trade deadline.

For one thing, the Panthers need Jokinen to have a realistic chance of making the post-season. And that’s huge for the Panthers. Not only because they have missed the playoffs for six consecutive seasons, but because GM and head coach Jacques Martin could very well get axed if they make it seven in a row.

On the other hand, Jokinen’s trade value will never be higher than it is now. Contenders would pay a premium for a point-per-game producer who is 29 years of age and has two more years left on his contract that will pay him a decent $5.25 million and $5.5 million, respectively.