Jul 20, 2007, 18:50 GMT
Edmonton, AB - The Edmonton Oilers avoided salary arbitration with Joni Pitkanen on Friday, agreeing to terms on a one-year contract with the Finnish defenseman.
Pitkanen, the fourth overall pick in the 2002 draft, tallied four goals and a career-high 39 assists in 77 games for the Flyers last year.
The Oilers acquired Pitkanen along with left winger Geoff Sanderson and a third-round draft choice in 2009 from the Flyers on July 1 in exchange for defenseman Jason Smith and forward Joffrey Lupul.
'We are very pleased to announce this signing, as Joni is a player who will strengthen our hockey club in many different ways,' said Edmonton general manager Kevin Lowe. 'He's proven himself as one of the league's top defenseman and we'll look for him to continue his solid play this season.'
In 206 career games with Philadelphia, the 6-foot-3, 214-pound native of Oulu, Finland has 25 goals and 91 assists.
© 2007 The Sports Network
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