Defenseman Joni Pitkanen hasn't played with the Carolina Hurricanes in a full season due to an injury he sustained chasing down a puck on an icing call. He broke his heel and continues to have significant trouble rehabbing.
At the end of July, Pitkanen told Finnish news outlet Kaleva, "Really [it's] still a long way that I could play at all." (As translated by Google.)
He was asked about playing next season and he replied, "That is difficult to say."
Pitkanen's deal with the Hurricanes expired last season, making him a free agent. It's unlikely he'll be back in the NHL this season, as he told Kaleva he hasn't even been on skates.
