Rumor: Former top pick Puljujarvi on the trading block?

Edmonton Oilers forward Jesse Puljujarvi will be a healthy scratch for tonight’s game against the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals, with forward Drake Caggiula drawing into the lineup in Puljujarvi’s place. 

The 20 year old Puljujarvi, who was selected 4th overall by the Oilers in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, has had a rocky start to the season and has landed firmly in head coach Todd McLellan’s dog house. When asked about Puljujarvi and his removal from the lineup, McLellan said, “His development has to get to the point where he’s a positive impact on the game every night.” You don’t have to really read between the lines to infer that the head coach is NOT happy with his budding young star’s play through seven games this season. 

On TSN’s Insider Trading segment earlier this afternoon, NHL insider Darren Dreger weighed in on the Puljujarvi situation in Edmonton and whether or not he has a longterm future with the Oilers. Check out some of these quotes from Dreger concerning Puljujarvi and the likelihood of a trade:

“It feel like it’s a tad early because if you imply that things have come to a head that could mean a change of team for Jesse Puljujarvi and I believe that that’s premature.”

“The Edmonton Oilers do see a bright future with this guy, but he’s in his third year in the National Hockey League so he needs to be treated like every other player and the harsh reality is that Kailer Yamamoto has outplayed Jesse Puljujarvi to this point.”

“There’s a trust issue between the coach and the player, so ultimately it’s on the player to try to improve that.”

It looks like a trade won’t be consummated anytime soon, but you have to figure that that won’t stop rival GMs from inquiring about Puljujarvi’s availability. The big winger with deft hands has just 14 goals and 29 points in 100 career NHL games, but there’s no denying the raw, natural talent lying just below the surface. If the Oilers can’t get that talent to shine through, look for another team to swoop in and try to take his game to the next level. Certainly a rebuilding team like the Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, Arizona Coyotes or Montreal Candiens would be interested in Puljujarvi's services should the Oilers make him available for trade.