It has been confirmed that the Jesse Puljujärvi trade has been made by the Edmonton Oilers to the Carolina Hurricanes. In exchange, Edmonton will receive prospect Patrik Puistola.
In return, Oilers get 22-year-old Patrik Puistola
(no salary retained on Puljujarvi) https://t.co/TGgE5k0GfU— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 28, 2023
Oilers Make Jesse Puljujarvi Trade with Canes
Drafted fourth overall in 2016, many Oilers fans had high hopes for Puljujärvi’s future. However, he did not have the easiest start to his NHL career. Initially, it seemed all was well. The Finn made the opening night roster straight out of his first training camp. However, after just 28 games with the big club, Puljujärvi was demoted to the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL.
From there on, he suffered a disappointing run of form. This resulted in Puljujärvi bouncing between the Condors and the Oilers until August 2019. With Puljujärvi‘s entry-level contract expired and the two parties unable to agree to a new deal, he returned to his former Liiga club, Oulun Kärpät.
However, the return of the NHL after the COVID-19 stoppage also saw the return of Puljujärvi. Since the start of the adjusted 2020-21 season, he has now begun to feature regularly in the NHL and seems more settled in the league.
What a Jesse Puljujarvi Trade Means
Puljujärvi has not produced huge offensive numbers in his short NHL career. However, he has plenty in his locker that makes him a useful addition to his new team.
One of his top assets is combining his strength and height, to be quite a physically imposing winger. Puljujärvi also boasts blinding speed and excellent skating, both of which should be able to help him improve his fledgling two-way talents.
On top of this Puljujärvi is a very skillful hockey player. He has good hands and a respectable hockey IQ, helping him retain possession and create play. As long as he continues to work hard on developing those attributes, he could become a useful weapon in his new club’s armoury. Hopefully the Jesse Puljujarvi trade gives his career a chance to bloom.
Main photo by: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
