A day after being acquired by the Carolina Hurricanes for forward Erik Cole, restricted free agent Joni Pitkanen has signed a three-year contract.
The club announced on Wednesday, that the 24-year old defenceman signed a deal worth $12 million over the three seasons.
The deal will pay Pitkanen $3.5 million in 2008-09, $4 million in 2009-10 and $4.5 million in 2010-11.
Pitkanen, scored eight goals and earned 18 assists (26 points) in 63 games in 2007-08 to rank second among Edmonton defensemen in scoring.
The Oulu, Finland, native averaged 24:07 in ice time per game last season, ranking him second among Oilers' skaters, and 22nd among all NHL defensemen.
Pitkanen has played in 269 career NHL regular-season games with Philadelphia and Edmonton, scoring 33 goals and earning 109 assists, with 12 goals and 52 assists coming on the power play.
The Flyers selected Pitkanen in the first round, fourth overall, in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.
