CALGARY -- As Jay Bouwmeester went through the morning skate Sunday, he barely glanced up into the stands to see a number of his old coaches watching.

It's obvious he has put his days with the Florida Panthers behind him.

``I still like a lot of guys on that team, and you wish them the best,'' he said.

Now a member of the Calgary Flames, Bouwmeester was in the lineup for Sunday's preseason game against his former team.

Florida's top pick in 2002 -- and third overall -- Bouwmeester got his wish and officially left the Panthers in June when general manager Randy Sexton traded the All-Star defenseman's negotiating rights to Calgary. A few days later, the pending free agent signed a long-term deal with the Flames.

There were a number of reasons Bouwmeester didn't want to play for the Panthers anymore, but none more glaring than a perceived instability within the organization.

Every offseason, it seemed, brought more drama from changes in management and coaching, to star players being shipped out. Bouwmeester had seen enough.

``The biggest part of it was all the changes and turnover,'' Bouwmeester said. ``It's hard to build something and be consistent when that is always going on. I know Pete [DeBoer] is a real good coach, and he did a good job last year and will continue to do so. . . . I was there for six, seven years and had four head coaches and just as many GMs. It's hard to build something when someone new wants to come in and start over.''

Bouwmeester, who is from nearby Edmonton, is back in his element. The players' parking lot in Calgary has its share of fancy sports cars, but a good number of players share Bouwmeester's style and drive Chevy or Ford trucks.

Olli Jokinen isn't one of those players. And unlike Bouwmeester, Jokinen didn't want out of South Florida.

During the summer of 2008, after it was apparent that Jacques Martin was going to move the Florida captain, Jokinen made a trade demand. On draft day, Martin sent Jokinen to Phoenix for defensemen Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton.

At last season's trade deadline, the Coyotes -- by then out of the playoff picture -- shipped Jokinen to Calgary.

Like Bouwmeester, Jokinen appreciates playing in a hockey market for the first time in his career. He also likes playing for a playoff team; last year's trip to the postseason ended Jokinen's 10-season playoff drought.

Yet it's obvious Jokinen still has a soft spot in his heart for the Panthers. And he can't wait to return to Sunrise for the first time since being traded away when Calgary visits on Feb. 5.

``They had a good run last year and hopefully this year they can make the playoffs,'' said Jokinen, who spent most of the summer with his wife and daughters at their Broward County home.

``I especially wish that for the fans in South Florida. They deserve to see playoff hockey. They have been very supportive all these years. The Panthers came close, hopefully they take that extra step.'' BACK TO THE STATES

Sunday's game in Calgary marked Florida's final Canadian preseason game. The team left for Dallas soon after the final horn sounded. The Panthers will play the Stars in Dallas on Tuesday night before coming home for a few days.

The Panthers spent eight days in Canada, starting with training camp in Nova Scotia, with stops in Halifax, Ottawa, Montreal, Edmonton and Calgary.

The Panthers play their lone home preseason game Wednesday at BankAtlantic Center.

• Add center Gregory Campbell to the Panthers' list of minor injuries. Campbell missed Sunday's game with a hip flexor. Bryan Allen, back after major knee surgery last season, also sat out on Sunday, as did Keith Ballard (groin).

• Former Panthers backup goalie Jamie McLennan, now the Flames goalie coach, had to be patched up after being struck in the right temple by a fast moving puck during the morning skate. McLennan returned 10 minutes later.

• Former Florida assistant coach Guy Charron attended Sunday's skate and visited with a number of players and coaches by the team locker room. Charron now lives in the Calgary area.