In today’s NHL news and rumors update, there is news out of Edmonton that disgruntled forward Jesse Puljujarvi may be considering staying in Finland for the entire season. The Oilers may also have interest in a Carolina Hurricanes’ forward. There is news out of the Buffalo Sabres organization that two of their rookies seem to have made the team and speculation teams might start calling the New Jersey Devils about Taylor Hall.
Puljujarvi to Stay in Finland All Season?
Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston notes that Edmonton Oilers restricted free agent Jesse Puljujarvi is getting comfortable in Finland and warming up to the idea that he may stay all season. Johnston notes, “I get the feeling that’s a comfortable situation for the player. He’s trying to get his confidence back, trying to get his game back and he might be the best player right now in the Finnish Elite League.”
If true, this would be an interesting situation for the Oilers who are 5-0-0 to start the season, clearly not missing his offense (or lack thereof) but would still like to get value for him in a trade if they can or should the team start to slide a little.
Keep in mind, the Oilers have to get him signed or traded by December 1, 2019 or he won’t be eligible to play in the NHL this season.
Still with the Oilers, there is speculation by Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal that the team could be interested in Carolina Hurricanes forward Julien Gauthier. Gauthier was drafted in the first round of the same draft as Puljujarvi. Edmonton likes the fact Gauthier is waiver exempt and could be moved back and forth to the AHL while they slowly prepare him to be a regular NHL player.
Related: NHL Rumors: Byfuglien, Senators, Maple Leafs, Ceci
Sabres Rookies Sticking Put For A While
Johnston also reported that Buffalo Sabres GM Jason Botterill told Victor Olofsson and Henri Jokiharju to “go get a house, you’re staying for a while.”
Two rookies that were competing for jobs with the team, this is great news for them as they’ve made the squad out of the first year and it also means the Sabres are keeping them past the nine-game mark and burning a year of their entry-level eligibility.
Teams to Start Calling About Taylor Hall
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman notes that it’s too early to say what’s going to happen with Taylor Hall, but with the slow start New Jersey is having this season, teams could be calling about his availability.
“I think a lot of people are starting to wonder how patient are the Devils going to be with Taylor Hall who is, of course, the big fish in the free agent pond at the end of the year,” Friedman explained during the Headlines segment on Hockey Night in Canada.
All of the answers a team might get will be based on how successful talks between the Devils and Hall are. If signs are that he’s not prepared to re-sign, GM Ray Shero might start talking trade scenarios. Again, it’s too early in the season to say that’s happening already.
Related: Five Takeaways from the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 Shootout Win Over the New Jersey Devils
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