Näin Flyers varatoimitusjohtaja Paul Holmgren kommentoi
Pitkäsen tilannetta:
"Finally, Holmgren said that the team is also working on signing Pitkanen and that they have until July 15 to do so. If they cannot reach an agreement, Pitkanen’s rights will be retained by his Finland team until the end of next season. "
http://www.philadelphiaflyers.com/draft2003/holmgrenQA.asp
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Pitkäsestä :Posted on Mon, Jun. 23, 2003
Flyers close in on deal with prized prospect
They are nearer to signing defenseman Joni Pitkanen than Eric Desjardins, who is set to be a free agent.
By Tim Panaccio
Inquirer Staff Writer
NASHVILLE - The Flyers are close to signing Finnish defensive prospect Joni Pitkanen, their No. 1 draft pick last year.
At the same time, they remain far from re-signing veteran defenseman Eric Desjardins.
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As for Pitkanen, rated by some as the best unsigned defensive prospect in the world, substantial progress was made this weekend between Clarke and his agent, Larry Kelly, even though the sides disagree about the bonus package.
"It's getting a lot closer," Clarke said. "It could fall apart, but I don't think so. We want to get him signed and get him over here. He's a good player and we can use him."
Kelly said yesterday: "We've had some real good, constructive discussions. Oh, yeah, I feel a lot better about this than a month ago."
He would not elaborate.
Pitkanen was the fourth pick in last year's draft. The model bonus package for a first-round pick who was among the top five selections is a balloon of $7 million paid out over three years. Some of the bonuses are earned, while others are given, Clarke said, if the player achieves certain performance levels.
"We have to find a balance we can live with and they can live with," Clarke said. "We're getting there."
Clarke met with Chicago Blackhawks GM Mike Smith yesterday. Smith wants to see where Pitkanen's bonus package falls. Why? Because Smith's No. 1 prospect from 2001, center Tuomo Ruutu, another Finn, wants the full $7 million balloon package. If Pitkanen signs first, Smith said he will use the Flyers' offer as a model for signing Ruutu.
Both the Flyers and Hawks have until July 15 to sign their European players or they will play next season with their respective Finnish clubs.
"We want to sign Pitkanen," Clarke said. "He's our top young player, and we want to get him into the NHL."
