Pitkanen not "Cup Worthy" ?
by Bob Wage on Jan 26, 2009 12:30 PM EST
14 comments
David Staples of the Edmonton Journal recently wrote an interesting article singing the praises of the trade which sent Joni Pitkanen to the Hurricanes in exchange for the services of Erik Cole. Mr. Staples names the Oilers the "winners" in this deal simply because, according to the author, "you can't win the Cup with Joni Pitkanen".
Strong words, strong words indeed.
First of all, if there must be "winners and losers" declared in this deal, it might be a bit premature to be standing on top of a snow bank and thumping one's chest. Erik Cole is an unrestricted free agent this summer, and since there are 29 other teams in the league, chances are that he will not be re-signing in Edmonton again next year.
Joni Pitkanen has already signed a three year deal and most likely will be in the service of the Hurricanes long after Cole has moved on from his "glory days" with the Oil. As a matter of fact, if the Oilers are not in the playoff picture in another month, Cole might not even finish the year in Edmonton. Would the Oilers still be declared "winners" if the forward is dealt before the trade deadline?
Based upon their statistics alone so far this season, it's tough to say who got the best of the deal. Pitkanen has 21 points in 40 games with a plus/minus of (-3). After a slow start, Cole also has 21 points in 46 games and is (-2). Each brings something different to the team. Cole leads the Oilers with 85 hits, (compared to 119 for Ruutu who leads the Canes), while Pitkanen leads the Canes in time on ice.
Staples goes on to give more negatives about the blueliner, including his apparent inability to "play hurt"? From my perspective though, Pitkanen has been able to take a hit and still be effective. I remember one particular game when he was hit high and hard when he crossed the blueline trying to set up a play. The hit almost knocked his helmet off and it was obvious that he was a bit groggy. He left the game for awhile, but to his credit he tried to come back. He returned the very next game like nothing happened.
Admittedly, the defenseman does make his share of mistakes and sometimes seems to be drifting while he is on the ice, but he is much better on defense than what was advertised. He's extremely adept at sweeping the puck away from penetrating forwards and has a quick stick when blocking shots and breaking up passes. When he does get beat and is caught in his own end, he is quick to recover and tries hard to make up for his error.
Although, perhaps his mistakes just don't seem as bad because the Canes have certainly had bigger problems on the ice this year than Pitkanen.
Finally, to say that you can't win the Stanley Cup with Joni Pitkanen is absurd. Staples certainly places a lot of importance on just one player, when everyone knows it takes a total team effort to be successful. Also, to think that any 25 year old is incapable of changing and improving is just plain being short-sighted. Hurricanes fans have noticed improvement just from the beginning of the year to this point in time, there is no reason to think that the improvement shouldn't continue.
This scenario reminds me of last year when Ottawa writers were proclaiming the Corvo/Eaves and Stillman/Commodore deal a slam dunk win for the Sens. Those writers are pretty quiet right about now. I wonder how David Staples will feel about the deal this time next year?
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Such an absurd article out of Edmonton. Nice catch Bubba.
by Cory on Jan 26, 2009 3:28 PM EST reply actions
As far as I see it… Pitkanen has done exactly what he was brought here to do… We don’t miss Cole…. so who the hell cares???
by Mateo on Jan 26, 2009 3:36 PM EST reply actions
Thanks for policing the internet for these idiotic comments Bubba. As an aspiring sports journalist, it gives me pointers on how not to write.
by Ivan on Jan 26, 2009 4:06 PM EST reply actions
Ah, they’re just trying to pretend that they ended up with a player that can stand on his own two skates…
:)
Pitkanen is a decent player who has the occasional mental lapse… but who doesn’t?
And Ottawa is now lamenting the fact that they have no puck-moving defensemen…
by Andrea on Jan 26, 2009 4:45 PM EST reply actions
I miss Cole but I still think we got the better end of this deal
by Matt on Jan 26, 2009 5:15 PM EST reply actions
I think that Cole might be a nice acquisition before the trade deadline if PK wanted to loosen up the purse strings and if Edmonton was out of the playoff picture.
It would be funny if Carolina ended up with both players at year end.
by Bubba on Jan 26, 2009 5:32 PM EST reply actions
I would not be surprised at all to see Cole back in Carolina next year. Look at Matt Cullen. I am not saying that I would love to see him back. There are a lot of teams that would probably go after him though for a playoff run.
I would have to say that if a defenseman has scored as many points as a forward, then offensively speaking, we won. Pitkanen’s first priority is to prevent scoring from the opposition while Cole can be focused on getting to the net in the offensive zone.
Great find Bubba.
by grasshopper on Jan 26, 2009 8:36 PM EST reply actions
Nice catch on this one B… In all I gotta say, What’s the point in the article from Staples??? First off- to be true regarding the team to win the cup position. Regarding who is the winner v loser on the Cole for Pitkanen deal-This like many other debates… pick a side. Both players have flaws to their respective games-It can be argued that Pitkanen brings little or no physical D-man presence to the ice, the counter point is that Cole is a single faceted winger. A true power skater for sure but his stretch to himself around the last man to beat move is tired!! But you add the positives and negatives and these guys bring more positives to the ice.
First off, Pitkanen (along with the other younger D men) the Canes have moved the puck out of their own end far better this year than the past 2. We now have better point presence with fewer poor pinches that in the past led to way too many break aways. He’s got some offensive skills to offer which in my book is a fair trade off for the lack of physical game. So when he pinches he has options opposed to just dumping it back deep. The Canes needed this guys especially given the Wesley-Hedican departures in the mix. He’s been an asset.
For all Cole brings to the ice, the full tilt skating that (ask Eric Staal) creates open ice for his line mates by pressing opposing D lines back has been missed here in Raleigh. No offense to LaRose and Ruutu. Look at Cole’s line mates over the past 4 seasons on plus minus and the proof is there. Now the Oil have him if for only a short while and time will tell the tale for Erik. I hate to say it, since his neck, the hitting he brought to the game has fallen way off. This may bring future concerns for any team of interest.
If I can draw a bottom line to this deal it’s this-both teams got something they needed badly. It just so happens that the Canes have gotten pretty darn good points production from a D man which is refreshing and the Oil got a small piece of the puzzle that remains disassembled since days gone by.. if only for a short while Cole’s a band aid for them. Sorry Oiler fan, the Canes have and will see more prosperity on this deal.
by Eman on Jan 26, 2009 9:04 PM EST reply actions
If anyone can remember back to the interview he had with Adam Gold after he was traded he made it pretty clear he did,nt want back here anytime soon. Miss him but we got the better end of it.
by Garry on Jan 26, 2009 9:17 PM EST reply actions
I wonder what Staples will say after the Sabres hung double digits on Edmonton last night…
by Cory on Jan 28, 2009 9:44 AM EST reply actions
On the whole, are you guys happy with Pitkanen?
I couldn’t stand him as a Flyer.
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