Thoughts on Pitkanen deal

Edmonton and Philadelphia made a deal earlier this off-season and was finally completed when the Oilers signed Joni Pitkanen to a 1-year 2.4 million contract.

The trade is simple, Edmonton acquires Joni Pitkanen and Geoff Sanderson from the Flyers for Joffrey Lupul and captain Jason Smith. Doing what I usually do when there’s a trade it’s time to analyze.

Pitkanen struggled with the Flyers last year when you compare it to his 2005/2006 stats. In 05/06 he had 46 points in 58 games. With the Flyers struggles last year he could only muster 43 points. One thing to note is that Pitkanen was on a team that absolutely sucked and while the Oilers may have the same problem (sucking) he is not given the burden of expectation. Anytime you can acquire a guy who is already a solid #2 defensemen at 23 years old and looks well on his way to becoming the number one defensemen there is nothing wrong with that as the price should be high.

Geoff Sanderson is still serviceable but at 35 his career looks to be dwindling. I don’t expect much but I see this as a salary dump to exchange for Joffrey Lupul’s contract.

Joffrey Lupul had his worst NHL season to date with the Oilers. He just didn’t seem like the skilled player he was when he was with Anaheim. He still has potential to be that 1st liner people think he is but he is going to have to put up at least a 40 point season to prove his critics wrong. At 23 he’s a skilled player with #1 line potential but to me he probably sticks on the 2nd line as a 60-70 point player. For a skilled speedy player he doesn’t get enough assists and isn’t that big of a goal scorer so there are some weaknesses to Lupul which is why he was shipped out so quickly.

Jason Smith a former Leaf is the type of guy who is physical and is just a leader by example. He isn’t anything special offensively but he has great veteran presence. He is however a great fit for a Flyer’s team that looks playoff bound Smith’s value is meaningless on a struggling team as he doesn’t add enough skill to a team that needs some offensive input. Smith will have a great role.

This trade is even or I would say slightly toward Edmonton. The players involved are each going to the right situation. Pitkanen will strive in the shadow of Souray, Lupul will be put around skilled players and Smith can contribute to a team that has defensive stars in front of him. It’s only a slight advantage toward Edmonton because I value #2 defensemen and young ones at that a lot more then a 2nd liner type.