Could the longest-running standoff in the NHL be reaching a conclusion? Last month, Jesse Puljujarvi spoke about his desire to return to North America and that his representation had been speaking with the Edmonton Oilers, the team who Puljujarvi refused to sign with last off-season and who he once stated he would never play for again. It was an encouraging note on what has been a frustrating situation for all involved. Yet, just a week later Puljujarvi re-signed with Karpat in the Finnish Liga and once again it seemed a reunion between the Oilers and their 2016 No. 4 overall pick may never happen.
Not so fast, says Sportsnet’s Mark Spector. Spector heard whispers that the sides were still talking and decided to do some digging. After speaking with both Edmonton and Puljujarvi’s agent, Spector believes that Puljujarvi will be back with the Oilers for the 2020-21 season. He believes the contract with Karpat, which has an NHL out clause, was to safeguard against a delayed start or worse for the NHL season, but that the two sides should come together for a new contract prior to the start of training camp, allowing Puljujarvi to simply use his deal with Karpat to get a head start on the season by playing in the Liiga.
Why the change? Spector believes that in addition to Puljujarvi’s desire to return to the NHL, he is also an ideal option for the cap-strapped Oilers to bolster their forward corps. Puljujarvi’s NHL production has not impressed thus far in his young career, but his numbers in Europe both before and after his first stint with the Oilers imply otherwise. With size and speed to go with his offensive upside, perhaps Puljujarvi can make a greater impact this time around and at a bargain rate. Spector expects that Edmonton will try to re-sign their former top prospect at a salary close to $1MM, which would likely mean just a one-year deal, but could make him an incredible value if he plays up to his potential.
The Oilers should sign Puljujarvi to a team friendly deal and then trade him to the Pens for Matt Murray.
The ultimate high risk, high reward deal.
Murray has won two Cups but he’s been up and down since. Puljujarvi has talent has done nothing in the NHL.
@forwhomjoshbelltolls – That could prove to be problematic for both sides, if Puljujarvi has the rug pulled out from under him and decides not to report to PIT. And his cap hit is far lower than Murray’s, which EDM needs right now. That said, “high risk, high reward” is definitely an accurate descriptor, just from the EDM side alone.
I feel like the Oilers will end up with a Stanley Cup champ in net next year. Either Murray in a trade or by signing Braden Holtby as a free agent.
Murray could be a long term solution, at best, and a bust, at worst. Holtby would be a Band Aid, at best, and a bust, at worst.
The cost to acquire Murray would be higher. The contracts would likely be similar in money.
@forwhomjoshbelltolls – That could be true for EDM this next season, but Ken Holland isn’t going to be able to be as competitive (theoretically) in a bidding war with another team who has designs on either of those guys. Plus, there may be concerns about how well a new goalie coach would be for either Matty or Holts. Some think Holts’ play dropped off because of the absence of Mitch Korn and it’s hard to grade Dustin Schwartz’s efforts in EDM with Koskinen. I’d like to see either of those guys there, but dealing with the somewhat mediocre D (it’s not bad, but also not awe-inspiring) could be a major challenge. See Bob in FLA with their D-core, compared to CBJ. Plus, another X-factor is that EDM is not a good place to be if you can’t stop the puck. The track record for goalie development isn’t that great in recent years.
I’m also of the opinion that Murray needs a new goalie coach. He did well under the Pens previous goalie coach, then was allowed to bring in “his guy” two years ago and has regressed.
why would he not report to Pittsburgh? they’re a good team, not Edmonton, and should be able to offer some playing time, even if on a lower line still.
@DarkSide830 – Why would he not report to PIT? He has a track record of petulance. Could he be over that phase now? Sure, anything’s possible, but I need to see a brand new JP before I will change that view of him. And, don’t forget that because he was a high draft pick, he sees himself as a top-6 guy. Anything less to him is an insult. This from a guy who has proven nothing and has exhibited a sense of entitlement, not a hunger to learn. As I’ve said before, it’s a bit mystifying that any young Swedes or Finns would act like that, as their NHL role models have been mostly damn stellar, in my book. I can’t think of any bad eggs off the top of my head right now that could have been a bad influence on him. Is his agent, Markus Lehto, the problem? Beats me, but somebody’s been toxic to his growth & development, somewhere…
@forwhomjoshbelltolls – That’s an interesting revelation. Maybe Dustin Schwartz could be the answer for him.
why would they trade their best prospect with cost certainty of under 2 million in a hard cap situation for a goaltender who doesn’t have a contract and will command more money than koskinen. the team can’t afford to spend 9 million in goaltenders. koskinen getting 4.5 already.
oilers need another goalie for sure, Murray at his price isn’t the answer and trading puujaarvi isn’t the answer.
remember the team tried trading him before when his value was higher than it is now and couldn’t find any takers.
@acryingfish – Puljujarvi is definitely not their best prospect, by a long shot. This may be EDM’s last attempt at trying to salvage a draft pick who hasn’t figured out how to be an NHL-er. Getting Matt Murray is something of a pipe dream, but worth exploring (to a degree), even though the cost certainty goes away on the trade. Matty’s health is the big thing, though, which could nix the idea. Puljujarvi’s value is next to nil, but it only takes one GM who thinks *he* can make a successful reclamation project out of him to pull off a deal for Ken Holland. His improvement on the European Tour may help his perceived value. But, the fly in that ointment is the flat cap for the next two, and possibly 5-6 years, if Elliotte & Burkie prove out to be right about the revenue numbers. This is not an ideal time to be messing around with “project” guys. Contract slots are more valuable than ever, right now. I believe Koskinen was an overpay at the time, and may not live up to the contract. Teams that have had problems developing top-flight netminders in the past are probably going to have tough sledding on the trade market, as any team with a decent-enough goalie in their system isn’t going to just give him away for two bags of pucks and some dirt. And, there isn’t a wealth of “goalie whisperers” like Mitch Korn or François Allaire on every corner.
I think when it all said and done he’ll be aNew York Ranger
@Al Hirschen – Do you think Jeff Gorton would go for an Igor for JP swap? Me neither. And, no, Andersson’s just JP with a different spelling. Better depth scoring is needed in EDM, probably more than, say, Brendan Lemieux could be counted on.
I’ll believe it when i see it
I don’t get why you guys are so down Om this kid…The Oilers organization ruined his development not the kid. He never should have been close to the big club. The Edmonton Oilers screwed this up not JP end of story. I can’t wait to see what this kid brings this time around now that he’s had some development time. I dare say we will see a more confident player and if he truly does want to come back and show the east of the hockey world he’s a player all the better. The Oilers could pull out from this debacle they created.