TSN reports the Edmonton Oilers have dealt defenseman Jason Smith and forward Joffrey Lupul to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for defenseman Joni Pitkanen, winger Geoff Sanderson and a third round pick in 2009.

Don't expect this trade to go down well with Oilers fans, who aren't sorry to see Lupul dealt and hoped GM Kevin Lowe would land Pitkanen, but probably not at the expense of Smith, the Oilers captain.

Sanderson is an aging winger whose best years are behind him, which makes this part of the deal even more questionable.

What could make this deal salvageable for the Oilers is if Pitkanen, a very good offensive blueliner who struggled defensively last season with the Flyers, can improve his defensive game in Edmonton and still post up solid offensive numbers.

Lowe had his eye on Pitkanen for some time, and desperately needed a puckmoving defenseman after dealing away Chris Pronger last year.

But moving Smith, however, may have been too steep a price, and Oilers fans will be praying that Lowe can redeem himself with a major UFA signing.

Pitkanen was headed for salary arbitration with the Flyers this summer but don't expect Lowe to do the same.

As for the Flyers, they get a proven leader and defensive blueliner in Smith and a work-in-progress in Lupul, who appeared on the verge of greatness in 2005-06 but regressed last season with the Oilers, scoring only 16 goals.

Smith is a proven commodity but Lupul is a gamble. Still, if he rediscovers his scoring touch in Philly, away from the pressure of performing in front of the hometown crowd in Edmonton, the Flyers could be the winners of this deal.

Flyers fans are likely rejoicing, Oilers fans less so.