When young Edmonton Oilers forward Jesse Puljujarvi asked for a trade this summer and threatened to play in Europe if he was not moved, it seemed all but certain that he would be dealt before the start of the new season. However, it has been more than a month since agent Markus Lehto told the media of Puljujarvi’s ultimatum and there has been no move and really no concrete rumors either. The Edmonton Journal’s David Staples writes that the trade offers for Puljujarvi have have been underwhelming and if that trend continues, he believes new GM Ken Holland seems willing to take the risk of holding on to Puljujarvi.
Puljujarvi, 21, has failed to live up to his draft billing as the No. 4 overall pick in 2016, to say the least. The big Finnish winger has recorded 37 points in 139 games since coming over to North America three years ago and his per game production dropped to a new low last season with just nine points in 46 games. Although Puljujarvi showed elite offensive upside before he was drafted, he has failed to capitalize on ample opportunity in Edmonton. Clearly, he and his representation feel a change of scenery could be the key to getting him back on track and one would expect teams to still be intrigued by his potential. However, if the offers have indeed been less than expected, perhaps other teams have been turned off by the young right wing’s showing so far. If that is the case, no one can blame Holland for holding on to his asset rather than giving him away at a discount rate.
With a new head coach in Dave Tippett also in the fold, Staples believes that Puljujarvi can find his change of pace without leaving the team and can still be an effective player for the Oilers, especially considering the opportunity still available in Edmonton for him to be a top-six player. The team has brought in their fair share of new faces up front this off-season, but Puljujarvi still seems likely to slot in on the right side of the second or third line, at least to begin the campaign. If he starts cold yet again, Staples admits that Puljujarvi could head back to the trade block, particularly since the team could use a third-line center.
What Staples doesn’t discuss though is the “what if” of Puljujarvi backing up his claim of jumping to Europe. Staples simply assumes that if he is not traded, Puljujarvi will show up and camp and again try to prove that he is an NHL-caliber player. However, the risk the Oilers are taking is that Puljujarvi simply is not willing to play in Edmonton again and will indeed follow through on his threat to play abroad. Two teams in his native Finland, the KHL’s Jokerit and the Liiga’s Karpat, have previously been linked to Puljujarvi, so if the Oilers do intend on not trading him in the coming months, he very well could suit up outside of the NHL next season.
One suggestion that may help Puljujarvi would be put him on right side with Draisaitl on left wing and McDavid centering that line. hopefully under Tippett’s tutelage in this move it may rejuvenate his career.
It was reported that Jim Rutherford turned down a Bryan Rust for Puljujarvi trade at the draft.
They might be willing to revisit that as it would get them under the cap and give them room to sign Marcus Pettersson.
Pens should do that and then move Bjugstad for Nick Bonino.
Sorry to disagree Gerald, but Puljujarvi has never shown either the ability or aptitude to actually belong on that top line. And, it seems like he can’t process the game on the 200×85 like he showed on the Olympic-sized sheets. He’s positionally unsound and has a bad habit of running into #97 – literally. He might get 4th line time, but he’ll definitely try Tipp’s patience. He’s had an unusually hard time with the language barrier and, strangely, seems to have entitlement-itis when it comes to him *not* being on the top line. That’s something you don’t see from most Finns coming over. Don’t be surprised if he gets banished to Bakersfield by mid-season, if he can’t get it together. Of course, he’ll try to reject that demotion (again), but he hasn’t proven to be a quick learner so far…
No hard feeling mac, you’re right don’t think he is worth it. as you said give him fourth line role, 10-12 minutes if he ends up in Tippett’s dog house , then management has to move on from him. for a month have been numerous stories on here. this is first time someone has commented he got more headlines than he had from the other 30 teams in league , no one thinks he’s worth it. if can’t do nothing with the big boys over here , he probably wouldn’t fit in with Bakersfield , Haas or Nygard may take one of few spots in bottom 6 , probably better off with some fresh bodies in lineup is better. Thanks.
Article says he has been provided ample opportunity. The kid has had next to no time in the top six. The Oilers are killing his potential and career burying him on the 3rd and 4th lines like they did with Yakupov. These are offensively minded players, not 2-way guys nor defensive guys that should be on the bottom 6. The seldom time they gave Puj opportunity on a top line he was moved back to bottom 6 within 2 periods. And Lucic would be put into his spot. Just a bit disheartening. Kid has shown flashes, albeit small flashes of being capable. He should have been sent to and left in Bako for a year to adapt to North American ice. Then brought up and seasoned correctly. Not bounced up and down the lineup and leagues like he has been.
Someone may get a hidden gem, but unless he is willing to sign a 2 way for a year to be sent to the AHL he is likely a bust now. He can go to finland for a year and boost his value or sign a 2 way in the NHL and take some seasoning. Otherwise if its a 1 way, he will bust out and be gone within 2 years.
Nothing say development like sticking Puljujaarvi on the 4th line for 12 minutes a game. These are some brutal takes y’all
Ya putting him on the fourth line makes absolutely no sense. That’s how you guarantee he doesn’t come anywhere close to his ceiling.
Re: “However, the risk the Oilers are taking is that Puljujarvi simply is not willing to play in Edmonton again and will indeed follow through on his threat to play abroad.”
So what if he does? If he shines there (which is much more likely than him shining here), his trade value increases and the Oilers, who would still hold his rights, would quite possibly be able to move him before the trade deadline, either by himself for a pick/prospect or as part of a package to secure a roster player (e.g., with Benning/Russell for a RW, or with Gagne/Neal for a D-man).
I think PJ has burnt too many bridges this summer to ever be a trusted team member, so what do the Oilers truly risk by calling his bluff?
I seem to recall people suggesting that putting Yakupov with McD under a new coach would let him bounce right back.
How’d that work out?
@Robert James. Yakupov and McDavid played together for about 30 games in McDavids rookie season. McDavid missed about half the year after the shoulder injury. And Yakupov missed time in the second half after the linesman took him out causing a concussion. There couldnt have been claims to send Yak onto McDavids line as he was traded in that offseason so there cant be any results to look into.
I was clearly referring to the 2015 season, Wreckage. Between the 2015 draft and the start of 2015 the season (you know, the one in which they played together for about 30 games) there were plenty of people who predicted that if Yak were put on McD’s line he would blossom. Didn’t happen.
So forgive me if I am dubious when someone suggests putting him on 97’s RW will magically ‘rejuvenate’ PJ’s career… especially when he never played well with McD before.