Negotiations with Joni Pitkanen didn't take long. The Canes and the restricted free agent defenseman acquired in Tuesday's trade for Erik Cole agreed to a three-year deal worth $12 million on Wednesday.
Pitkanen will make $3.5 million this season, $4 million in 2009-10 and $4.5 million in 2010-11, making him Carolina's highest-paid defenseman by a wide margin.
The Canes now have seven defensemen under contract and one restricted free agent, Dennis Seidenberg.
They're also over budget at approximately $46.7 million for next season for 21 players, which makes a salary-dump trade of a defenseman all the more likely.
Luke has worked for The N&O since 2000. He covered the Carolina Hurricanes and the NHL before becoming a sports columnist in August 2008. A native of Evanston, Ill., he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He can be reached at (919) 829-8947, @LukeDeCock on Twitter or
Comments
Pitkanen
Thu, 07/03/2008 - 00:48 — Pele (not verified)While everybody is talking about Pitkanen's youth and upside I'd like to mention that he is a very good already. Two years ago his ppg average was same as Scott Niedermayer's.
In his first three NHL season he scores more goals and points than Chris Pronger, Jay Bouwmeester and Niedermayer.
In his last season in Philly he had most assists and third most points.
Cane stole a defenceman that will score 50-60pts. next season while playing top minutes on Canes. Here's hoping that Pitkanen stays healthy because that is the only reason we got him and he only makes 4M.
Canes D
Wed, 07/02/2008 - 22:30 — Anonymous (not verified)Not a bad signing at all. Pitkanen is still young...relatively speaking... for a defenseman and hopefully can begin to peak the next 3 years or so. A much speedier D with Pitkanen & Corvo. I would let Kaberle vie for a position in training camp and then we'll know what he's got. Not sure the Canes have kept up with teams like the Lightening and the Rangers but we will see.
Taker for Kaberle should be available
Wed, 07/02/2008 - 21:17 — macsmomAfter seeing Finger get $4M, Commodore get $4M, I think we can find a team to take Kaberle for a 4th or 5th round pick. Maybe the leafs will take him so he can play with his brother. I know we don't like to trade within division, but Atlanta needs a puck mover. Ottawa is still seeking a puck mover. Maybe we can return the favor and send them Kaberle.
D-man Dilemma
Wed, 07/02/2008 - 19:36 — FLA Caniac (not verified)Hey folks, this is only day 2. Look at all the crazy $$$ being thrown around. JR and Co. have done the job in the past within the team budget and looked what happened in '06. Things will work out and the right d-man will be moved. At least all of this talk gets us through the long hot summer. I only wish I were up in Raleigh next week to watch the kids. Hang tough Caniacs...Go Canes and go JR...
Seems kind of steep- hope he
Wed, 07/02/2008 - 19:11 — Anonymous (not verified)Seems kind of steep- hope he delivers!
Offensive D usually get more $, though, so the guy underpaid by comparison is Corvo, not Gleason.
If I'm Gleason
Wed, 07/02/2008 - 18:42 — caneshockeyfan... I'm now feeling underpaid. I am happy to have Pitkanen, I just hope he can live up to the high expectations that come with that contract.
No Kaberle NTC
Wed, 07/02/2008 - 15:59 — Jonathan (not verified)Kaberle does not have a no trade clause. Scott Walker and Niclas Wallin are the only players on the team who have them. Right now we have $47.8 million in the lineup with LaRose and Seidenberg unsigned. Kaberle is as good as gone...
What ashame that a move is
Wed, 07/02/2008 - 14:13 — Anonymous (not verified)What ashame that a move is made that is unpopular to so many but necessary and the whiners come out in full force. Here's a quarter call someone who cares. Either you support the team or your don't. There is no I in team, so deal with it. I'm really looking forward to the next season and am glad that I am a season ticket holder. Rutherford knows what he is doing and should be supported. If you can't, go somewhere else to watch hockey.
WOW! If you can't, go somewhere else to watch hockey?
Wed, 07/02/2008 - 15:56 — RaisinCaneInNCWOW! If you can't, go somewhere else to watch hockey?
You definately need to get a grip!
I AGREE
Wed, 07/02/2008 - 15:52 — penaltykiller74 (not verified)I agree with you 100%. I'm sure people whined and complained In July and August of 2005 too.
And look what happened that season...
The point is, we all have our favorites, and its sad to see them go, but that is the way things go. That is sports. I'm sure there are people in Edmonton that are just as displeased that Pitkanen is going.
But, this is our team. Whoever is on the roster, and I for one will be going to every game I can. I understand that players come and players go. No one complains when they retire, that's almost the same as them being traded, except when a player retires you have to fill a spot, instead of getting someone at the same time. But from the team standpoint, they are gone.
I've seen Pitkanen play, and he can be great, and has the potential of being greater. This is only his 4th season, so he has some learning to do. This is a different system than Philadelphia and Edmenton.
Look how it affected Corvo, Samsanov, and Ruutu. All fan favorites now, and a great deal better than they were in the systems they were playing in.
Give the guy a chance before you jump on the "Cole is gone, Boo Pitkanen" bandwagon.
Right...no thinking required
Wed, 07/02/2008 - 15:47 — MrKnockoffJust mindless assent? Love it or leave it?? Get a clue.
No whining detected.
Wed, 07/02/2008 - 15:43 — Anonymous (not verified)No whining detected.
Dump Frankie and Nikki(Mr. -18)
Wed, 07/02/2008 - 13:44 — gparodyTheir play has gone down hill rapidly and they are at the right price for some needing help.... Any chance Whitney is the guy that is moved ?
Whitney
Wed, 07/02/2008 - 21:33 — Anonymous (not verified)I think that Williams will go before Whitney. Cullen has to get his head straight too.
Frankie
Wed, 07/02/2008 - 13:57 — johnnyg (not verified)I say this with all due respect and I really do like Kaberle, and in saying this it is the best move for the team.
Compairing Kaberle and Wallin....
Kaberle $2.2mill
Wallin $1.7mill
Kaberle is 2 years older than Wallin
and since Kaberles shoulder injury he just hasn't had that spunk.
Kaberle was brought in for offense and we seem to have remedied that situation in the past 2 days so keeping a more rugged rougher d-man in Wallin makes more sense.
just my 2 cents...
Nic v. Frank
Wed, 07/02/2008 - 19:05 — WICaniac (not verified)Additionally, Nic is loved by everyone in that locker room. I ran into Cam Ward in the Minneapolis airport last summer and shared with him the rumor that Nic was moving to Philly for Pitkanen; he looked stunned and started texting someone. He repeated what John and Tripp say all the time: that you couldn't meet a nicer guy. I realize that being loved does not a great defenseman make, but I think moving Wallin would incur a hit on team chemistry. Remember, also, that he was called on to do much more than usual this past season. He is AT LEAST a 5/6 defenseman who brings more than his stats reveal. With Cole gone, JR may want to avoid letting too much of the team's heart and soul go.
Agreed on all counts that
Wed, 07/02/2008 - 14:49 — FuquayCaniacAgreed on all counts that Kabs looks to be the odd man out. Also know that Wallin has as no trade clause. He refused to waive it last year, so one can assume he would do the same this year, if asked to.
Fairly sure that Kaberle
Wed, 07/02/2008 - 15:19 — buglermcd (not verified)Fairly sure that Kaberle also has a NTC. He would've been gone long before now if he didn't. Look for Seidenburg to go.
Kabs and the NTC
Wed, 07/02/2008 - 16:08 — wylde4canes (not verified)I honestly am unsure as to whthere he has one or not, but I think even if he doesn't the general consensus is that he is not worth his current salary, so finding a suitable trading partner is a bigger issue.
Seidenberg makes no sense
Wed, 07/02/2008 - 15:54 — Vincent Vega (not verified)Since Seidenberg currently counts against our cap ... um ... $0.00, there's no cap relief if we trade him. Kaberle does not have a no-trade clause and is the only guy who saves us money when he leaves.
The problem, is finding some other team willing to pay him $2.2 million each of the next two years. We may have to dump a second-round pick with him to get the deal done.