Flyers secretly shopping Pitkanen?
Posted by Ryan T. Bright on June 18, 2007
After being drafted fourth overall in the 2002 NHL draft by the Philadelphia Flyers , Joni Pitkanen was expected to be a star in the NHL almost immediately. But after showing good numbers in his first couple seasons in the NHL, Pitkanen’s 2006-07 season could be the one that defines, as well as ends his career with the Flyers.
Pitkanen is about to become a restricted free agent at the start of the 2007-08 season, which means other teams can make offers toward him, but the Flyers get an opportunity to match. This type of situation happens often in the NHL, usually with no teams making an offer at a RFA, since clubs almost always match the offer for their player.
This situation is slightly different however, with Pitkanen coming off such a disappointing season. Pitkanen and his agent want a substantial raise from the Flyers, considering Pitkanen as a potential all-star, still young enough to be a great player in the NHL. The Flyers on the other hand want to pay Pitkanen according to the horrendous season he had in 2006-07. This giant gap between what Pitkanen wants and what the Flyers want to pay him, opens the eyes of many franchises who would pay Pitkanen the money he wants in order to hopefully develop him into fulfilling potential.
According to the Edmonton Journal, the Edmonton Oilers are one of the teams very interested in acquiring Pitkanen. They are reporting that “Four to five teams are reportedly doing background work on the Finn”, and that the Flyers are secretly shopping him. This report makes even more sense considering a report today by Tim Panaccio of the Philadelphia Inquirer, stating that the Flyers are taking Pitkanen and his agent to arbitration, to iron out a deal. Since the arbitrator will find the middle ground between what the Flyers want to pay and want Pitkanen is asking for, the Flyers will lock Pitkanen back into a contract , which makes a trade for him more attractive for buyers.
Flyers’ GM Paul Holmgren denies the reports of intention to deal Pitkanen, and despite the facts pointing to a deal, trading Pitkanen still might not occur. But regardless of what is being said by the Flyers, the Pitkanen situation is something for Flyers’ fans to keep a watchful eye on.
Bobby Majcher said
I have a good trade scenario:
Joni Pitkanen, Robert esche and the number 2 over all pick to Tampa Bay for Vincent Lecavlier????
Ryan T. Bright said
I heard rumors about the Flyers targeting Lecav. but Esche is a UFA. I think they would have to give up one of the young guys like Richards, Carter, or Upshall to get this deal done.
Jake said
Tim Pinochhio’s report was ridicilous. Flyers took Pitkanen to arbitration because they knew that there’s teams that would love to give #44 Group 2 offer sheet and steal him away.
And by the way Pitkanen will get 2M or more from arbitration. When you score at same ppg average as Scott Niedermayer during 2005-6, and then 2006-7 you lead your team in assists who believes Pitkanen getting under 2M? Nobody but Mr. Pinnochio.
What did Jay Bouwmeester get last summer with lesser numbers that Pitkanen has now? Over 2M, obviously.
It’s a joke that so many Flyers’ fans and local media personnel are all over Pitkanen when he was clearly their best D-man. Pitkanen gets all the knives in his back, but Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, RJ Umberger and other young player are given some kind of benefit of the doubt because they’re young! Pitkanen is 24 years old for crying out loud.
Most of fans and media are talking about Pitkanen’s plus/minus. Well, plus/minus is the biggest joke as a stat. It’s a team stat more than individual stat. Play a lot for a good team and you end up with plus like Pitkanen did in previous seasons. Play a lot for a bad team…
Is Niedermayer so much behind Pronger as a player just because he is some 20 plusses behind Pronger? Last time I checked Niedermayer was a Norris Trophy nominee.
How about other players and their plus/minuses in Flyers roster? Pitkanen ended up with -25 (out of which seven were scored on empty Philly net) and how many minuses per game Zhitnik, J.Timonen and Picard got? Much higher clip. Hatcher ended up in same numbers without empty netters.
But let’s hope Pitkanen gets traded because he doesn’t deserve the b.s. he is getting. GM Holmgren will get fired for trading him but it’s no big deal since he will eventually get fired for Timonen/Hartnell deals anyway.
Ryan T. Bright said
You obviously did not watch his play all season. He was absolutely lost on the ice. He earned his plus/minus, it was not just a result of the teams play.
Jake said
I only watched about 70 games and Pitkanen was team’s best defenceman. It’s not much in the shitty team, but for crying out loud everybody should take a deep breath. Pitkanen has played three years in the NHL and doing very well thank you:
Pitkanen 206gms 116pts +12
Niedermayer 213gms 106pts +plenty
Bouwmeester 225gms 82pts -43
Pronger 202gms 69pts -33
So in his first three seasons Pitkanen has done more than these other stiff by having scored most goals, most assists and most points. These other three stiff are Canadian who played their junior hockey in smaller rinks and NHL style. They have spoken English all their lives.
Let’s trade Pitkanen away because he is so lost out there. I wish some other Flyer players would also be as lost out there as Pitkanen was. Maybe 20 players with 40 helpers would have meant more goals? More goals might have brought few wins, too.
Andrea Seltzer said
I just want to let you know that I am a huge Joni Pitkanen fan!! In my opinion, Joni is one of the Flyers best defenseman that they have on the team. Do you think they should trade Joni because of last season? It wasn’t just his fault that the Flyers had a bad season but it was the whole team’s. If they trade him then I will be very, very, very, very upset and dissapoint!! I believe that the Flyers should give him a chance to become a better defenseman. By the way, about half way through the season, they got Lasse Kukkonen to help Joni out and Joni did a lot better with Lasse on the team. Also we just got Kimmo Timonen to help Joni out too!! I will always believe in Joni!! He can become a better defenseman, if they let him stay on the team and give him a chance to turn his game around! I will be praying and keep my fingers cross everyday for them not to trade Joni Pitkanen!! To be honest with you, I am Joni’s biggest and #1 fan that he ever had!!
If the Flyers want to make a trade then I think they should trade some of the veterans like Robert Esche, Derrian Hatcher, and etc.
Andrea Seltzer said
I just want to add something, if Joni stay on the team and I am sure that he can find other number. I am sure that Kimmo wants #44 but Joni can get other number and it is no big deal as long he is still on the team!!
GO JONI PITKANEN!!!!
Jake said
Joni Pitkanen has played his last game as a Flyer. Period.
Panthers took Luongo to arbitration and he was traded. Now Flyers did the same thing knowing it’s going to be a same result.
I woudn’t be surprised if Pitkanen decides to play in Europe next season.