Looks like "Mini-Stickanen" will have to take a mini-pay cut to remain a Flyer.
Or is this really the prelude to trading 23-year-old Finnish defenseman Joni Pitkanen, perhaps this weekend at the NHL Draft?
The Flyers filed for arbitration against him last week.
GM Paul Holmgren denies a trade is the Flyers' intention.
“It’s never been our thought process to trade Joni,” said general manager Paul Holmgren said. “This was just because, at least, we know we will get the guy under contract. That is why we are doing it.
“By doing this, it speeds the process up. You know by some point in August you will have him signed to a contract or you will have [an arbitrator’s] number.”
Arbitrations begin July 20 and end Aug. 5.
When asked flat out whether he would rule out trading Pitkanen, Holmgren said no player on his club enjoys such a luxury.
I still think this is a bait to get other GMs to talk to the Flyers about Pitkanen, perhaps in conjunction with trading the No. 2 pick in a larger deal. Holmgren said he is open to moving that pick in a larger deal.
He also said he had 14 calls from clubs about Pitkanen after a newspaper story this spring saying the Edmonton Oilers were interested in him.
Regardless, the Flyers don't want to pay Pitkanen $2 million next season.
I am waiting on Pitkanen's agent, Larry Kelly, to get his take on things. Will update ...
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By filing, the Flyers don't have to qualify him at $2 million and can have the arbitrator rule. This is a lose situation for Kelly. The arbitrator will rule less than $2 million. That's a no-brainer. Which may be why Kelly will ask that his client be traded.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger • 
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