Jay Bow Is Returning. Do You Care?

Doesn’t that picture give you the creeps everytime you see it?

Friday night the Calgary Flames come to the Bank Atlantic Center amid controversy and having lost ten of their last eleven games at the time of this post.  A bit of a Florida Panther reunion was expected as the Flames roster (until Monday night) had former Panther’s Jay Bouwmeester,  Olli Jokinen (who was traded to the New York Rangers), and Niklas Hagman, whose most recent play was for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

So my question to you is this:  Will you cheer for Jay, or will you Boo for Jay?  What’s the general feeling about his return to South Florida?

Remember, if you will that he was offered contract upon contract for loads of money and for lengthy terms, yet did not want to stay because he wanted to play for a team that was playoff bound.  A team that was going in a positive direction.  A team that wasn’t in turmoil.  A team that was in a city where hockey was a main focus of the town.  He wanted to play on and for a winning organEYEzation.

Well Jay, tell me.  How’s that working for ya?

As of today, and before tonight’s games, neither the Florida Panthers, nor the Calgary Flames are in a playoff spot.  While both teams are competing for one, one can’t say right now that either one will make it.  Although if the Flames can turn things around, they probably have a better chance, but that’s a longer story.

As for me, I will be attending Friday’s game and was more looking forward to seeing the Calgary Flames with Olli Jokinen, Jerome Iginla and Dion Phanuef.  However with the recent trades by Calgary, I won’t get that enjoyment other than for Iginla.  As for Jay, I could care less about him, as he could care less about us here in Florida.  I have always been of the opinion that if a player doesn’t want to commit, or be in a city and play for a team that I follow, then I have no use for you.  As a fan that’s my option.

I watch alot of Calgary Flames games, and always have.  I like their sweaters, I like their style, and I like how rowdy their crowd is, and all the RED that you see at their home games.  A true city that loves their team.  While last year the Flames felt they had an excellent chance to do some damage in the playoffs, injuries, salary cap woes and some defensive issues led to a first round exit at the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks.  Also, the lack of a backup goalie that the coaching staff could trust.  The general manager Darryl Sutter was faced with alot of issues.

Speaking of their coaching staff, even though former Panther head coach, and general manager Mike Keenan led the Flames to two consecutive playoff appearances, he was relieved of his duties with one year remaining on his term.   (RE: Pressure to win, which doesn’t exist here) Flames General manager Darryl Sutter brought in his brother Brent to straighten things out and get them further along.  Well, that hasn’t worked out so well either so far as the Flames are struggling.  Another one of those, we can’t trade everyone, so let’s fire the coach.  Which also let’s the players off the hook a bit.

Anyway, in most of the Flames games that I have seen, Jay has been a non-factor.  He has only two goals, and 18 assists.  Certainly not the point production that Calgary had expected, but is that related to the Flames not scoring enough in general, or that Jay just isn’t as good as he was billed?  You make your own assestment of that.  For me, having him didn’t get us anywhere, and not having him hasn’t done anything either.  I feel that the Flames have way overpaid, and better them than us.

So if you’re asking if I’ll have the welcome mat out for him with open arms, I think you should know by now that I won’t.

I’d rather bring along the youngster below to the game with me so he can pass along this message to Jay:

Thanks for reading.

Cheers