WESTERN CONFERENCE

Olli Jokinen #21 of the Calgary Flames controls the puck against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wachovia Center March 5, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Photograph by : Bruce Bennett

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THE HUNT FOR JOKINEN

Calgary Flames general manager Darryl Sutter also pursued centre Olli Jokinen last summer when he was the Florida Panthers captain.

"(The Panthers) wanted a top-four defenceman -- Matthew Lombardi and a first-round pick," said Sutter. "When you look at our top four, it's not hard to see who they are, or who our top two are (Dion Phaneuf and Robyn Regehr, who are untouchable).

"After we traded Alex (Tanguay, to the Montreal Canadiens at the entry draft last June 20), we had two first-round picks and we offered both to Florida for Jokinen ... before we went and made the trade for (Michael) Cammalleri.

"But Florida went with (Keith Ballard) and (Nick) Boynton and a second-round draft."

The Panthers tried to trade Boynton this week, picking up Steve Eminger to maybe take his spot. Sutter was the only GM on trade deadline day to give up a first-round pick (to get Jokinen).

"I wouldn't have done it, though, if I hadn't spent three weeks looking at our (American Hockey League farm team and junior draft) players. They're better than what we could have gotten with our first pick (around No. 23)."

BLUES PASS ON PRONGER

The St. Louis Blues did investigate the possibility of acquiring defenceman Chris Pronger before his name was pulled off the trade table.

But the Blues weren't going to give up defenceman Alex Pietrangelo (a top-five draft pick in 2008) to get Pronger. Or wingers T.J. Oshie or David Perron. Case closed...

Meanwhile in Anaheim, Ducks winger Bobby Ryan is now wearing No. 9. The kid is good and scored a highlight-reel goal against the Dallas Stars on Friday.

But shouldn't No. 9 be in mothballs? Paul Kariya, who gave the Ducks instant credibility when they entered the NHL, wore No. 9.

BURROWS MET HALFWAY

The agent of Vancouver Canucks winger Alex Burrows used the paycheque of Edmonton Oilers winger Fernando Pisani as a comparable figure when trying to

negotiate Burrows' new deal. Pisani is being paid $2.5 million US this season. But the Canucks countered with $1.5 million, the amount of money Jason Chimera earns with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Burrows, the NHL's best disturber, was met halfway when he signed a four-year, $8-million contract extension on Tuesday.

THIS 'N' THAT

- Darryl Sutter tried to hire Florida Panthers coach Peter DeBoer to coach his AHL farm club a couple of years ago. DeBoer and Sutter's brother, Brent, were buddies in junior. DeBoer said no thanks. "He had a five-year deal in junior (Kitchener Rangers of the OHL) and it was more than he'd make coaching in the American Hockey League and it was a sure thing (that he wasn't getting fired from the OHL)," said Sutter.

- Sutter was also interested in new Edmonton Oilers acquisition Ales Kotalik last year when the Flames were worried about scoring. "He's a sniper," said Sutter.

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EASTERN CONFERENCE

BANNER YEAR FOR PARISE

New Jersey Devils forward Zach Parise isn't going to win the Hart Trophy for his work this season.

The Hart will go to either Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin or Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins.