Joni Pitkanen Update

[HeyKurtz]

The Canes posted this detailed, insightful update on Joni's progress on their site...

http://hurricanes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=701493

Basically, he won't be back this year. He might play next year, or he might not. He might play again in the future, or he might not.

 

[andyt]

And he'll be an unrestricted free agent after the season.

 

[SlapShots]

I don't see how he'll play in the NHL again. Wish him the best going forward and that he regains full use/range of motion/complete absence of pain in that foot. Everything after than is pure gravy.

 

[HurryCanes]

as much as Joni is much maligned (and i get why sometimes), i wish that he were playing this year. I think that would allow Faulk the opportunity to continue his development at a 3 spot instead of constantly being slotted at a top 2, which i think he will get to but isn't there yet. Last night was an example IMHO. Again, i'm still very big on Faulk but that kid has really shouldered a lot for his age (good for him).

 

[jeffbear]

as much as Joni is much maligned (and i get why sometimes), i wish that he were playing this year. I think that would allow Faulk the opportunity to continue his development at a 3 spot instead of constantly being slotted at a top 2, which i think he will get to but isn't there yet. Last night was an example IMHO. Again, i'm still very big on Faulk but that kid has really shouldered a lot for his age (good for him).

I hear you, but the Canes would be without Hainsey if Pitkanen had been able to return. That would have changed the entire dynamic of the group and made it unlikely that we'd have seen Faulk and Sekera paired up other than on spot duty. And despite their problems Sunday, that pair has been very good for us this season ... and Hainsey has been a Godsend.

 

[ThinIce]

Agree. I'll give Faulk and especially Sekera an occassinoal bad game, but they've been consistently good all season.

 

[SlapShots]

I like a lot of what Pitkanen brought to the team. He was a beautiful skater and had a nasty streak to him. I know lots of people didn't care for him or his style of play. That being said, I much prefer how the team's defense is currently configured than what we were going into the season with if Pitkanen was good to go and Hainsey never signed with us.

 

[HurryCanes]

I hear you, but the Canes would be without Hainsey if Pitkanen had been able to return. That would have changed the entire dynamic of the group and made it unlikely that we'd have seen Faulk and Sekera paired up other than on spot duty. And despite their problems Sunday, that pair has been very good for us this season ... and Hainsey has been a Godsend.

Good point.