Edmonton Oilers still aggressively trying to trade polarizing forward

PUBLICATION

Josh tupper
September 12, 2022 (12:55)

SHARE THIS STORY

Earlier this summer the Edmonton Oilers and General Manager, Ken Holland announced that Jesse Puljujarvi had signed a one-year contract. The deal is set to pay Puljujarvi $3,000,000 for next season. While some felt this deal might mark a reconciliation between the Oilers and JP, that was not the case.

After last season ended, Holland made it very clear that the former 4th overall pick was no longer in the Oilers long-term plans. Signing Puljujarvi to the contract was simply meant to provide teams with a concrete dollar value and avoid a potential arbitration hearing. With the Oilers currently $6,781,333 over the salary cap, the team has very few options but to trade someone.

Enter Jesse Puljujarvi.

The Oilers were reportedly hoping to get a 2nd round pick in return, but so far that deal hasn't materialized. Ryan Rishaug of TSN shared the following information today about a potential trade.

Continuing to pursue all trade options for Puljujarvi - the most obvious move to clear out some cap space. If it doesn't happen they can still start with what they've got but it'll be razor thin margin budget-wise and could cause issues later in season.

Don't believe Barrie is a likely trade option at this point, they'll start the year with what they have on the blue-line, see how it goes. Pairings feel up in the air as well, may take shape through camp. Don't sense a PTO coming on D.

With so little time it will be very interesting to see what route teams begin to go to finalize their regular seasons rosters. Is it possible that Puljujarvi will get the fresh start he's after?