Joni Pitkanen of The Edmonton Oilers Available For The Right Price

The Edmonton Oilers have just acquired Lubomir Visnovsky from the LA Kings for Matt Greene and Jarret Stoll.

With Visnovsky now in the fold, the Oilers have the following cap hits in terms of offensive d-men next season:

Visnovsky - $7 million
Souray - $6.25 million
Gilbert - $3.5 million

That's 15.75 million committed to three d-men and here's the part that should interest Jackets fans, that is without getting Joni Pitkanen signed.

This move clearly means that Edmonton has every intention of dealing Pitkanen. They certainly aren't going to have the money or desire, now with Visnovsky in the fold, to re-sign Pitkanen.

In fact, with Visnovsky and without Stoll or Greene, the Oilers currently have $50.4 million committed to 18 players. That doesn't leave a whole lot of room to flush out the roster, certainly not enough room to give Pitkanen the $5 million a year he most certainly wants.

It's no secret the Jackets need puck movers. We know Howson has a relationship with Oil GM Kevin Lowe. It wouldn't shock me at all if he weren't on the phone this very minute trying to work a deal for the rights to Pitkanen.

I've discussed Pitkanen in this space before. He's a 23-year-old 6'3" 214 lb puck moving d-man. Sportsnet.ca's take on him:

Assets
Has tremendous size and strength for the blueline position. Oozes offensive potential and displays plenty of grit, toughness and character.

Flaws
Will need to play up to expectations in a tough sports city (Edmonton), which could be an intimidating factor throughout his career. Is somewhat fragile.

Career potential
No. 2 defenseman.

He didn't have the best of years last season only notching 26 points in 63 games, but he does already have three seasons with 40+ points on the blueline. He's also played for Hitch in Philly.

If we are going to overpay, this is the kind of guy I roll the dice on. I have absolutely no idea if we have the assets to acquire him, but reading some reaction from Oil fans, they all seem to think Pitkanen is gone and that they'll want cheap gritty players in return. Tollefsen/Fritsche/Brule may look a little more attractive to them right about now.

With a lack of puck moving d-men on the market, especially with Liles now off the board, this guy is a juicy trade target and if a deal can be swung before July 1st, it couldn't do anything but help the perception of Columbus as a UFA destination.

This is a guy I could see building a defense around and would fit great with our young core.

Keep your eye on Chicago though. I could see them making a big play for Pitkanen as well. Wouldn't that just be another blow to the gut.

-LTL