Oilers and Puljujarvi Nearing Terms on New NHL Contract

The name Jesse Puljuarvi and the terms Edmonton Oilers have been used a lot in the same sentence over the past few months. Unfortunately, most of the time the two things are used together, it’s while discussing issues between both sides that have kept Puljujarvi from joining the team and continuing his NHL career. That may be changing with a recent report on Wednesday that hints the team and the player are close to a new deal.

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TSN’s Frank Seravalli reports that Puljujarvi and GM Ken Holland are making progress on a new deal. The terms of that deal will reportedly see the organization by the winger $1.2-$1.5 million on a one-year pact.

Sounds like #Oilers have made progress in talks to bring Jesse Puljujarvi back into the fold. Discussion still mostly centered on the hockey 'fit' part of it, but my guess if/when he returns is that it's eventually on a one-year deal in the $1.2-$1.5 million range.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) September 30, 2020

Puljujarvi left the Oilers back in August 2019 and headed to Finland where he’s been continuing his hockey career. The Oilers have maintained exclusive rights to his NHL future and while Puljujarvi and the Oilers couldn’t seem to find common ground on an extension, there’s been never-ending talk in the background that the player might be traded, or at some point, sign again with Edmonton. It’s been the changes in management and coaching that are finally moving things forward in a positive direction.

Now that the two sides seem ready to work out a deal, the question becomes where Puljujarvi fits on the current Oilers roster.

Where To Play Puljujarvi

While playing for Karpat in the Finnish Liga, Puljujarvi has shown brilliant flashes on offense. A big winger with speed and skill, the Oilers are hoping he can translate his production over to the NHL, but there are certainly no guarantees. His 24 goals and 53 points in 56 games appear to suggest he’s ready to be more impactful in the NHL but from an Oilers perspective, it could be a risk to assume Puljujarvi can fill a top-six role.

That said, the Oilers may not have a lot of options. One of the NHL’s many cap-strapped clubs, Holland needs to find less expensive players to fill key roles with the team. And, if the Finn can find chemistry with one of Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl, he could fill a huge hole for the team.

In Related Puljujarvi News

It was reported on Wednesday that Puljujarvi’s rights were traded from Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod to SKA St. Petersburg. The trade sees the rights to San Jose Sharks prospect Alexei Melinchuk come back in return.

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