RUMOR: Joni Pitkanen Ottawa Bound?

This came in late last night after a few jugs of some of that fine vodka Russians make. What am I supposed to do when both my teams lose on the same day?

Anyway, I was sent a rumor from a source who says Joni Pitkanen is on the radar for Bryan Murray. Pitkanen is a defenseman for the lowly Carolina Hurricanes, and is only 26. He’s played for three teams in his young career, and his best year  was last year with Carolina. This year the whole team including Joni have stumbled, and it’s clear Jim Rutherford is going to be a seller come deadline day. Pitkanen is a smooth puck-mover who immediately helps the PP for any team, including Ottawa’s bad one. Filip Kuba has not been good at all this yer, so maybe a dip in that elusive puck moving defensemen market wouldn’t hurt. When I used to live in Edmonton, I got to go see some Oiler games and Pitkanen played for them back then. He’s good, and I think he can help.

Pros of Acquiring Pitkanen: He’s young, fast, smooth on the puck, has a booming shot from the point, and a fresh start never hurts anyone.

Cons of Acquiring Pitkanen: 2 goals in 32 games is worse than Kuba himself, and we need goalscoring from the backend. Plus his salary is big.

Carolina would likely just want some picks and prospects to rebuild. Pitkanen is making 4 million a season with 2 years remaining on his contract. The return could include some combination of Alexandre Picard and Brian Lee or Lee and Jonathan Cheechoo, even though I doubt Carolina would want Cheech.

What do you think, Sens fans?