Jesse Puljujärvi Placed on Waivers by Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins have made a notable move by placing Jesse Puljujärvi on waivers, a decision that’s turning heads across the hockey world. Puljujärvi, a 26-year-old Finnish winger, has had a tumultuous NHL journey since being drafted fourth overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 2016. Despite flashes of promise throughout his career, he now finds himself at a crossroads.
This season, Puljujärvi has managed to contribute three goals and eight points in 21 games with Pittsburgh, a respectable showing given his limited role. Averaging just over 11 minutes of ice time per game, he has played a defensively responsible style, logging significant shifts in his team’s defensive zone. Statistically, the Penguins controlled a slightly better percentage of shot attempts when he was on the ice, a testament to his ability to contribute to a bottom-six defensive role.
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However, opportunities have been scarce for Puljujärvi in recent weeks. He hasn’t played since December 7 and has been a healthy scratch in 14 of the Penguins’ last 15 games. This isn’t necessarily an indictment of his performance but rather a reflection of Pittsburgh’s success and stability in their lineup. The team has posted a strong 10-4-1 record since Thanksgiving, leaving little room to tinker with a winning formula.
Puljujärvi is in the final year of a two-year, $1.6 million deal with an $800,000 annual cap hit, making him an affordable option for other NHL teams. With his waivers placement, he may catch the attention of a club looking to bolster its depth with a defensively sound, experienced winger. Puljujärvi’s ceiling may not be as high as once projected, but his combination of size, defensive skill, and physicality could be valuable in a shutdown role.
Looking back at his career, Puljujärvi’s best season came with Edmonton in 2021-22, where he tallied a career-high 36 points in 65 games. Since then, injuries and inconsistent play have hampered his ability to replicate that success. His recent double hip surgery has added another layer of challenge to his comeback efforts.
For now, Puljujärvi’s future in the NHL remains uncertain. If unclaimed, he could head to Pittsburgh’s AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. However, with his contract expiring at the end of this season, he’ll have another chance to hit free agency and potentially find a fresh start with a team that can offer him more consistent opportunities.
The next 24 hours will be crucial in determining the next chapter of Jesse Puljujärvi’s career. Whether he finds a new home in the NHL or works to regain his footing in the minors, his journey remains one to watch.
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