Big Update on Jesse Puljujarvi Trade Speculation Out of Edmonton

It almost feels like a Jesse Puljujuarvi trade out of Edmonton is inevitable at this point. There are so many reports surfacing when it comes to the player actively being shopped that you have to know there’s smoke and fire as far as a deal is concerned. Even if GM Ken Holland is saying that he won’t give the player away and reports are the Oilers want someone that can help immediately in return, most fans feel as though this is a trade the organization will undoubtedly lose.

Related: Oilers Reportedly Eyeing Claude Giroux in Free Agency

Here is the latest on what’s going on with Puljujarvi and trade rumors:

Kevin Weekes reported on Monday, “I’m told the @EdmontonOilers are actively shopping F Jesse Puljujarvi, and there’s some interest from clubs in the market for his services. Curious to see if there’s a match for a potential deal between now and next week’s Entry Draft. @espn @NHL#HockeyTwitter.” Obviously, Weekes meant this week’s draft (Thursday and Friday), but the point is the same in that a trade is likely close.

I’m told the @EdmontonOilers are actively shopping F Jesse Puljujarvi, and there’s some interest from clubs in market for his services. Curious to see if there’s a match for potential deal between now and next week’s Entry Draft. @espn @NHL #HockeyTwitter

— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) July 4, 2022

Mark Spector of Sportsnet wrote on Tuesday, “Ken Holland with several irons in the fire on Puljujarvi, Tyson Barrie. As draft nears, it still sounds like that talk will turn into actual trades. Puljujarvi move most likely, IMO. He wants out.” This comment comes after a conflict report that suggests the player has not asked for a trade. Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic wrote that Puljujarvi is concerned about there being a spot for him on the Oilers’ top six and that he would open to a fresh start. A trade has not been formally requested, however.

Speaking of Nugent-Bowman, he updated his report on Tuesday in an article for The Athletic and wrote:

I’ve been told the team’s preference is to try to fill out the top two lines sans Puljujarvi and then trade him for immediate help in the form of an NHL player. The Oilers aren’t considering acquiring a second-round pick or later for Puljujarvi because that player is likely at least three and perhaps four years away from big-league action. Those are the number of years left on Leon Draisaitl’s and Connor McDavid’s respective contracts. The time to win is now with those two superstars locked up.

He adds that the Oilers see Puljujarvi as a good safety net and simply aren’t trading him without a plan in place to fill in the hole he leaves behind. Edmonton plans to figure out the Evander Kane situation first and then see what comes next. Nugent-Bowman adds, “If Puljujarvi is dealt, the most likely time frame is after free agency opens.”

In other words, it is possible Puljujarvi is moved at the draft in Montreal but only if the Oilers get just what they’re looking for in a trade. Nugent-Bowman adds, “Again, I was told emphatically they would not be acquiring a draft pick for Puljujarvi. In the slim chance that happens, expect a third team to get involved or for the pick to be quickly flipped.”

Oilers Don’t Want To Sell Too Low

A trade right now for Puljujarvi is likely going to result in the Oilers selling low. Teams like Carolina, Ottawa, Nashville, or New Jersey, who might want to get in on the player in trade talks are likely only going to offer the Oilers so much. Edmonton knows that giving up on Puljujvari now could backfire.

And, as much as the team is willing to live with the fact that Puljujarvi could develop the finishing and passing skills he’s currently missing, and they’ll miss out, as a result, they can’t be seen as the team that just dumped the player for nothing. They’ve spent six seasons developing and waiting for this player to come around. They need something when to show for moving on.

Next: Flyers Weren’t Willing to Trade No. 5 Pick for DeBrincat