Flyers Re-Sign Pitkanen to One-Year Deal

[BGDDYKWL]

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that they have re-signed 6’3”, 215-pound defenseman Joni Pitkanen to a new one-year contract, according to club General Manager Bob Clarke.

“Joni Pitkanen is a player who made great strides in his development last season and we feel can one day be one of the top defensemen in the league,” said Clarke in making the announcement. “His importance to the team is along the same lines as Jeff Carter, Mike Richards and R.J. Umberger and it is a priority for us to make sure that our younger players remain in the organization.”

Pitkanen, 22, recorded 13 goals and 33 assists for 46 points and 78 penalty minutes in 58 regular season games for the Flyers last season. His 13 goals, 33 assists and 46 points were all new career highs for a single season. He won the Barry Ashbee Trophy as the Flyers’ most outstanding defenseman and the Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy as the most improved player for the 2005-06 season. Pitkanen led the team in average time on ice (23:42), was tied for second on the team in assists (33) and was tied for third on the team in plus/minus (+22). He was first among Flyers defensemen in points (46 - tied for 19th among NHL defensemen) and was seventh among NHL defensemen in points per game (0.79).

In two seasons with the Flyers (2003-04 and 2005-06), Pitkanen has registered 21 goals and 52 assists for 73 points and 122 penalty minutes in 129 regular season games. During the 2004-05 season, Pitkanen played for the Flyers’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, recording 41 points (6G,35A) in 76 regular season games. He added seven points (3G,4A) in 21 playoff games as the Phantoms won the 2005 Calder Cup Championship. His 27 points (8G,19A) during the 2003-04 season was second among NHL rookie defensemen and he was named to the 2003-04 NHL All-Rookie Team.

A native of Oulu, Finland, Pitkanen was originally drafted by the Flyers in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to being drafted by the Flyers, Pitkanen played three seasons for Karpat Oulu (Finland – 2000-01 through 2002-03).

[Humpzilla]

Can someone tell me why this is only a one year deal and not a multi year contract?

Pitkanen is a big part of the Flyers future, and if he were to be lost to free agency it would be a huge blow. But then again, this is the Flyers and GM Bobby Clarke we're talking about...

[flyersrule]

clarkes head is too far up his a$$ to realize how big a part of the future pitkanen is. Pitkanen is the best d-man on the team.

[jayc948]

610 WIP was reporting earlier in the day that contract talks with Pitkanen and his camp were beginning to get uneasy, so they settled on a one-year contract with the agreement that a multi-year deal would try to be worked out at some point during the season.

[flyersrule]

thanks for the info.

[Phila26Flyers]

Gagne is due up. He should be a multi-year signing; I will be very surprised if he isn't. Pitkanen is the Flyers' defensive future, Gagne is the offensive future. Both deserve long-term contracts. I hope Pitkanen is in fact offered a contract extension midseason.

[Isles4life]

Originally Posted by Phila26Flyers

Gagne is due up. He should be a multi-year signing; I will be very surprised if he isn't. Pitkanen is the Flyers' defensive future, Gagne is the offensive future. Both deserve long-term contracts. I hope Pitkanen is in fact offered a contract extension midseason.

Pitkanen will be a perennial Norris candidate in a few years, in my opinion. They better lock him up when they get the chance.

[Phila26Flyers]

Originally Posted by Isles4life

Pitkanen will be a perennial Norris candidate in a few years, in my opinion. They better lock him up when they get the chance.

And they better lock him up DURING the season. If the Flyers try to give him a contract at the end, he'll be asking much more than the team will probably be willing to give him. He's not stupid; he knows his worth, and it will be better financially if Clarke extends his contract during the season, which would go on what he has already accomplished in his career. At season's end, I'm sure his stock will have been raised, and he'll want a pay raise. We'll see how this one plays out...