It has seemed as though a fresh start might be in order for Edmonton Oilers forward Jesse Puljujarvi, after several seasons of frustration from both the team and player. Selected fourth-overall in 2016, Puljujarvi hasn’t found his footing in the NHL (or AHL for that matter) and has just 37 points through 139 games. He heads into this offseason as a restricted free agent, and several reports have him on the trade block. Ryan Rishaug of TSN tweets this morning that the Oilers are looking for a third-line NHL forward in exchange for the young Puljujarvi, and if they can’t get one they might just hold tight.
Rishaug included several other nuggets of information:
- The Oilers have the eighth-overall selection in this weekend’s draft, and may be looking at Swedish defenseman Philip Broberg. The 6’3″ defenseman played in Sweden’s second league this season and doesn’t turn 18 until next week. Broberg is a big, excellent skating defender, but some have questioned his hockey sense and upside over the last few months. The first round this year looks like it will be filled with interesting decisions, as the fifteen or so players ranked after Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko could go in any order.
- If the Oilers are looking at free agent forwards this offseason, Rishaug suggests that Washington Capitals UFA Brett Connolly will be of interest. The 27-year old scored 22 goals in 2018-19 and registered 46 points for the Capitals in a breakout season, finally showing some of the offensive upside that caused the Tampa Bay Lightning to draft him sixth overall in 2010. Connolly made just $1.5MM in each of the past two seasons, but has earned himself a healthy raise.
still think the leafs and Oilers match up really well here.
oilers apparently have interest in zaitsev and are looking for a 3rd line guy for Jesse. Enter Connor Brown.
while I would love the leafs to be able to pry Rattie, if they truly just want to dump salary, the Benning and jesse for brown and zaitsev rumor just makes too much sense.
will require Edmonton likely moving another D unless they also include Brodziak as a salary dump.
“pry Rattie”
Huh? Just check the waiver wire
That price is wrong! The oilers could way better than brown and zaitsev for Benning and Jesse! cmon man
he’s an rfa eligible player. the oilers have yet to release his rights. if they do I hope the leafs take a chance.
Checks defence group Toronto has*
Yes I too, think the Leafs should go spending resources on wingers. Definitely a good place for them to invest money
Super guess this one flew right over your head.
1. It is giving up two players making over 6 million for two players likely to combine for 3 at most. Players still need to fill holes and leafs will need to fill the void of brown, potentially Hyman early on, Ennis, maybe Marleau, etc.
2. I did mention I thought Benning and Jesse made the most sense but that I wish they would take a chance on Rattie.