Edmonton Oilers General Manager may have to deal former top pick for no return after his public comments
Edmonton Oilers winger Jesse Puljujärvi's NHL career has been mirrored with periods of inconsistency. The former 4th overall pick is having a rough start to the 2022-2023 season with only one goal and six points in 27 games played. He's only averaging 13:47 in ice time, playing mostly on the third and fourth line due to his lack of production.
Puljujärvi's confidence is at an all time low. He's doubting himself so bad, he's not sure if he has what it takes to play in the NHL anymore.
«Of course I'd like to be a productive top-line player,» Puljujärvi said in his native Finnish, as translated by Seppälä, «But right now, it looks like I can't do that in NHL. Maybe some other league.»
On the most recent episode of 32 Thoughts Podcast Elliotte Friedman discusses the situation with Puljujärvi in Edmonton. Teams have not made offers that Edmonton has felt were fair due to his lack of production, but after his recent comments they may have no choice but to trade him for the best possible deal they can get right now.
Watching Puljujärvi's game there is a lot to like, He's hard on pucks, a great forechecker. He breaks plays up and makes life difficult for opposing teams in the neutral zone. In terms of driving play, he's been great, getting into the slot but the finish hasn't been there.
The time might be now to cash in on Puljujärvi before things get worse. The comments he made sound like a player who's completely off-track. A change of scenery could do great things for both involved.
| POLL | ||
If you were Ken Holland would you trade Jesse Puljujärvi' now? | ||
| Yes, he's a broken player now. Cash in | 152 | 70.4 % |
| No, hold on. Things can't get much worse | 64 | 29.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
