Puljujarvi linked to three Eastern Conference teams in trade talks

Bye, bye Oil Country. The former top pick is headed East.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 4 years ago
Puljujarvi linked to three Eastern Conference teams in trade talks
Zuma Press

There have been rumblings for weeks now that former 4th overall pick Jesse Puljujarvi has demanded a trade from the Edmonton Oilers and the player’s agent Markus Lehto confirmed the rumblings just last week saying:

”It doesn’t make sense to go back where we were last season, it’s not good for either side. Discussions about parting ways have been going on for weeks already. Jesse needs a fresh start and it’s nothing against the Oilers”. 


Oh… and if he doesn’t get that fresh start, he’ll sit out the 2019-20 season and play in Europe instead.

"If he doesn’t get traded," Lehto confirmed, "he will play in Europe next year. He will not play in Edmonton."

Now, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet is reporting that Puljujarvi could be headed East and it appears that at least three teams have the big Finn in their sights. Check out this nugget from Friedman’s latest 31 Thoughts column for Sportsnet:

Jesse Puljujarvi’s preference is to resume his NHL career outside of Canada; someplace a little quieter. Boston, Carolina and Tampa Bay are among the possibilities.


Interesting. The Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning are both cap-strapped, but Puljujarvi is not likely to get a big money deal at this stage of his career anyways. As for the Carolina Hurricanes, Puljujarvi and Aho were absolutely dynamite together at the 2016 World Junior Championships with linemate Patrik Laine. In fact, the Finnish trio were the top three scorers in the tournament and Puljujarvi took home tournament MVP honours. Could a reunion be in the works?