Former Oilers Top Draft Pick Returning to the NHL?

It looks like Jesse Puljujarvi could be on his way back to the NHL. The former fourth-overall draft pick by the Edmonton Oilers has struggled to find his footing in the league, having started in Edmonton, then gone overseas, returned to play with Carolina, Pittsburgh, and Florida, and then left again for the Swiss league. He scored 52 points in 52 games, including 19 goals last season.

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Now, it is believed that after a strong 2025-26 run, he wants to give it one more go. There are NHL teams looking.

David Pagnotta wrote on Wednesday, “We’re a week away from the free agent doors swinging open. One player to look out for: Jesse Puljujarvi.” The NHL insider adds, “He had a monster season in the Swiss League. His hip issues are a thing of the past, I’m told, and there’s already lots of interest from several teams eyeing a mid-six upgrade.”

There’s something about Puljujarvi that NHL teams like. While he’s seemingly crashed and burned at every NHL stop, he’s got the skill and size that seem to translate well internationally. For whatever reason, he’s struggled to carry over that same production to the NHL, even though he’s playing against many of the same players in tournaments where he shines.

Pagnotta didn’t mention which teams might be looking at him, but there could be several options based on the need for a depth forward on a low-cost deal. The San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks aren’t even at the salary cap floor. Philadelphia, Columbus, and Chicago might also be teams open to taking a swing on a player with big upside.

This is the kind of player, who is he finally hits, could be a gamble worth taking, and at worse an asset that can be moved at the NHL trade deadline if he’s having a productive season.

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