10/11 Salary: $4.5 million 11/12 Projected Salary: $4-5 millionThree-year Stats:GPGoalsAssistsPoints+/-PPPHitsBkSh 2008-097172633+111462125 2009-107164046-111966122 2010-117253035-21266130 Career48351205256+5109xxOutlook:Joni Pitkanen was once thought to be one of the bright young stars on defense, but he topped out in his second year in the league, with Philadelphia. With that said, he’s still a valuable player to have on the back end. Pitkanen is a long-shot to return to Carolina and will be sought-after by an abundance of clubs on July 1st.Pitkanen logged over 25 minutes per game for the Hurricanes in 2010-11 and tallied 35 points in 72 games. One of the big knacks on him is health; he has never played a full 82-game schedule. Pitkanen also has the ability to disappear from time to time, which may make teams hesitate spending upwards of $4.5 million, maybe $5 million, on the Finland native.Despite some uncertainties, every summer there are teams looking to boost their defense...
Original Story:
