Ever since Jesse Puljujarvi left the Edmonton Oilers to return home to Finland last summer, signing a one-year deal with Karpat, there has been plenty of speculation about his future, his trade value, and his relationship with his current NHL rights holder. However, there has been little in the way of concrete news. That changed today as Puljujarvi himself spoke with Finnish news source Iltalehti about his current free agency and what to expect of his career moving forward.
First and foremost, Puljujarvi stated a return to Karpat next season is his most likely destination for 2020-21. Seeing as how his trade demands in the NHL have not been met, it makes some sense that Puljujarvi would stick to his guns and remain in the Finnish Liiga. It also helps that Puljujarvi was a superstar in Finland this season. His 24 goals and 53 points both led Karpat and were top-five marks in the league.
With that said, Puljujarvi also makes the important note that a deal is not in place with Karpat and he is keeping his options open. That could very well include the NHL, as he stated that his goal is to eventually return to North America. Would he be open to a return to Edmonton though? Puljujarvi actually revealed that he and his representation recently took part in a long phone call with GM Ken Holland and head coach Dave Tippett, neither of whom were in place when Puljujarvi last suited up for the Oilers. Usage was the main reason why Puljujarvi was so unhappy in Edmonton, but he does not know how that might change under this new administration. Puljujarvi called talks with Holland Tippet “good and constructive” and said that “it may be possible” he returns to the team, which is a major departure from his previous stance.
Should things not work out with Edmonton again this off-season and his rights are not traded to another NHL team, don’t expect Puljujarvi to move elsewhere in Europe. His KHL rights holder, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, has made an offer but Puljujarvi firmly stated that he would not sign with the team. He also acknowledged interest from the Swiss NLA, but again stated that he is unlikely to move their either. As a result, it seems Karpat or bust for 2020-21, with bust of course being a change of course in either Puljujarvi’s relationship with Edmonton or as a result of being traded to a new team.
Trade him to the Rangers for Anderson
@Al Hirschen – EDM doesn’t appear to have any interest in Andersson and Puljujarvi’s trade value will probably continue to slide with these Mickey Mouse games he wants to keep playing. I appreciate the pride factor from the organization’s side, as no one really ever wants to admit that a high draft pick was a bust, but sometimes it happens. Puljujarvi still sounds like he thinks he can call his own shots as to where he wants to play in the lineup. That’s swelled-head-itis to the max. EDM may have to cut him loose and rid themselves of the headache. They have a number of prospects in the system who are hungry and willing to learn. Puljujarvi is expendable in my book. Andersson may prove to be Puljujarvi’s Swedish twin at the rate he’s going.
Seems to make sense.
Everybody wins.
Lias and Jesse P’s value are still off. Jesse is a top 5 pick who was mishandled. Lias is a hotheaded prospect thinking he deserves more than he gets. One went 4th, the other went about 10th. 1 year apart. There is some value difference of opinion. Its been discussed and experts feel edmonton would expect a 2nd-3rd on top, and NYR dont feel the gap is that far apart.
If Edmonton accepted a straight up trade fans would riot in Edmonton. If NYR accepted the return offer their fans would riot.
Has to be a middle ground, but fans in Edmonton are not at all interested in Lias. Even less so than Jesse.
bust
Bust
This is a diminishing trade chip that Holland should use to address his future lack of depth in net. Wait until the draft and use him to slide up and grab the Russian goaltender.
He could also hold onto him and use him as bait with Seattle to take a bad contract.
It’s obvious the Oilers do not view him as a top 6.
@Dave – Are you thinking Askarov? He seems to be one of the few in recent years that is actually highly thought of, instead of just being a “maybe he’ll pan out” guy. While Starrett & Skinner didn’t kill it this year, Dylan Wells is still in the system, too. From what I’ve read & heard, Askarov could one of those rare netminders that could be Top-10, but which team(s) would try to mortgage the farm in the current cap landscape? It’d seem like EDM would need more than Puljujarvi alone to get that far up in the draft for Askarov. It is interesting that younger Russian goalies are having as much success as they are, and Askarov seems to be continuing that trend, at least as far as early reports go.
You don’t even know where they are drafting
@Festus3026 – WE don’t know where anybody else’s slot will be in the draft, making a formerly-easier trade much more difficult. Compounded by the COVID-cap, it may be trickier than normal. With all of the hype around Askarov, I’m interested to see where he lands and IF that team will develop him properly.
That’s my point they could pick anywhere, you were saying they would have to offer more to move up in the draft
If he wants to play for Tippett, he is going to have to pay attention to details and defense.
He is not better than Kassian or Yamamoto, so at best he is 3rd line RW, without much, if any PP time. He might have to PK a little too. After a year or two, maybe he moves up.
Unless he is going to embrace all that, they should just trade him.