Olli Jokinen: ‘there’s a lot of negative energy’ around the Maple Leafs
In just 48 hours of being in Toronto, Olli Jokinen senses a lot of negative energy around the Maple Leafs.
Just 48 hours and one game after becoming a member of Toronto Maple Leafs, Olli Jokinen has already discovered the problematic theme around the organization.
"The one thing I notice here being here two days is a lot of negative energy around here."
Sorry, Olli. Someone should have warned you about that.
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Olli Jokinen was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs along with prospect Brendan Leipsic and this year’s first-round draft pick from the Nashville Predators for defenseman Cody Franson and forward Mike Santorelli. Jokinen literally went from the top of the NHL, all the way to the bottom. So, obviously, there are going to be some differences in the mood around the two organizations.
Jokinen, however, is trying his best to be a positive influence on the team.
He continues by saying it is up to the players to change that negativity into positive energy and finding away to go out and play with pride once you put that jersey on. To go out and play for each other, the city or Toronto, the logo on the front and for pride in yourself.
It’s a very noble effort by Jokinen and you have to respect how professional he is. He can’t be too happy about being dealt from arguably the best team in the NHL who is primed for a real push in the playoffs, to a team who is entering a complete team rebuild and is struggling to even win a single game.
It’s also worth noting that Olli Jokinen continues to be a professional even when there are rumors circling around that he may get flipped again by the Maple Leafs before the March 2 trade deadline.
You have to feel a little bit bad for him as well.
Jokinen has always been a consummate professional and a great locker room guy. He was a tremendously skilled player in his prime and always a team player. Even with all his positive traits, he has only played in 6 playoff games in his entire career. He finally gets a chance to be on a Cup-contending team in Nashville, and even agrees to play in more of a checking role on the team, which he has never played before in his career, to have a chance to be a part of possibly something big. Only to be traded to Toronto before the deadline.
Hopefully the Maple Leafs do in face deal him again before the deadline and give Jokinen a chance to play in the playoffs.
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