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Oilers May Be At Point They Have to Dump/Trade Jesse Puljujarvi

The Edmonton Oilers may have little choice but to trade Jesse Puljujarvi, and potentially do so for much less than they’d like.

The narrative surrounding Jesse Puljujarvi and the Edmonton Oilers has not been positive over the past 48 hours. An interview he conducted with a Finnish news outlet translated comments from the winger that he wasn’t sure he had the skills to play top-line minutes alongside Connor McDavid. In fact, he’s struggling so mightily, he noted he’s not sure he should even be in the NHL. On the surface, some fans might be obliged to feel sympathy for the forward. Many have decided it’s time to just move on from Puljujarvi if he’s so distraught that he’s doubting his own ability.

The argument is, why would McDavid or any of the top players on the Oilers’ roster want to play with Puljujarvi if he doesn’t think he should be playing? Stars want confident linemates who battle through their struggles, not sulk and doubt their ability to get the job done. A huge contingent of media members has jumped on this too, many saying it’s time the Oilers just move on.

Jesse Puljujarvi Edmonton Oilers
Jesse Puljujarvi Edmonton Oilers

Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek discussed Jesse Puljujarvi’s situation in Edmonton and noted that Oilers’ GM Ken Holland may have little choice but to make a deal that isn’t a winner for the team. With Puljujarvi getting only fourth-line minutes in the team’s win over Minnesota on Friday, it seems like maybe the coach has decided it’s not worth playing Puljujarvi if he’s not ready to take on the responsibility. Can another team build his confidence back up?

Related: Oilers’ Puljujarvi Says He’s Not Sure He Belongs in the NHL

Friedman said, “But I think now you’re at a point where you’re seeing those quotes and you’re just saying if you’re Edmonton, we have to do this. You know, Edmonton’s window is while [Connor] McDavid and [Leon] Draisaitl are on these contracts. So you have to win right now.” He added, “If you’re taking a little bit less on Puljujarvi to create room to go do something else.”

Marek noted that the Oilers wanted a second-round pick for Puljuvari, but it’s doubtful the Oilers can get that. They’ve lost all leverage in a deal with the comments the player made and Edmonton only has two options: either wait until he gets hot again and then move him, or move him and take a huge hit. The former doesn’t seem likely considering Puljujarvi feels he’s not even capable of going on a run.

“I don’t feel bad for him,” said former Oilers Georges Laraque. “The only one that is going to come out of this is himself.” He added, “He’s a big guy. He has to be the first on the puck, creating plays, and stop giving reasons about why he’s not producing.”

Next: Update on Rumors Of Oilers’ Interest in Joel Edmundson

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