Puljujarvi Gets New Opportunity, But No Contract Yet
Forward Jesse Puljujarvi, who was put through unconditional waivers over the weekend for the purpose of terminating his contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins, got a new opportunity Monday — but not in Europe, as had been widely expected.
Puljujarvi, a day after becoming a free agent, signed a PTO with the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League. There is no guarantee he will earn a contract offer from that, but it is a chance to continue to play in a pro league in North America.
The Penguins took something of a flyer on Jesse Puljujarvi, 26, before last season, as he was trying to come back from double hip surgery. He was a first-round draft pick by Edmonton in 2016.
This season, the Finnish winger had nine points, including three goals, in 26 games with the Penguins, but he could not stick in the lineup.
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…wow, I don’t understand now why he didn’t just stay at WBS….was he pizzed off at being sent down again and let his emotions get the best of him? Or what else could it be?
He recognized that there are about 5 guys in WBS that are going to be priorities for playing time over him (and has been through this with PIT 3 teams now). There’s no longer any opportunity for upside in PIT. He had it, it didn’t work, try somewhere else.
Nailed it, but at the same time a PTO with an AHL team. Sounds like he would get an AHL contract.
Isn’t Charlotte the AHL affiliate for the Panthers? Can’t imagine there is a pathway to the NHL for him there.
Yep and now the Panthers are going to win the cup instead of the Penguins.
Also known as “Kenny Pickett Syndrome.”
I actually had the Panthers as a potential trade deadline destination earlier in the season. The Panthers lost Stenlund, Lorentz, Lomberg, Okposo, and Cousins from their bottom 6/extra forward group after the Cup win. Panthers have the worst farm system in the league right now. I could see JP earning a shot and playing some spot duty over Jonah Gadjovich on the 4th line, where Gadjovich is mainly a tough guy and agitator.
It is weird.
That’s honestly weird that he’d leave one AHL team just to go to another. I figured he had something lined up overseas. I guess he just realized that he wasn’t gonna play in Pittsburgh so he’s gonna try to work his way up in another organization.
But Florida? He can’t crack the NHL in Pittsburgh, but he thinks he can in Florida? I don’t know. Does he have a past relationship with someone there? Or is this not about making it in the NHL?
When you get the opportunity to play under any coach other than Sully, you take it. I’m pretty sure that when JP’s contract was terminated, he put some Braveheart face paint on, and ran out of his house yelling “FREEDOM!”
He doesn’t have a PTO with Florida, it’s with Charlotte. If he gets a contract, it will just be with the AHL team, like Boris Katchouk with WBS.
I get that. I don’t understand why. Is the goal to be on a very good AHL team? If so, he was. Is it to get to the NHL? If so, I don’t see it being a good fit. I know WBS struggles against Charlotte. So I guess it could be that? It’s just odd to me.
Really hope he makes the best with this opportunity. JP is the perfect example of a first round pick with limited competitive value to a hockey team, and why I like KD’s strategy of “prospects” rather than picks. Especially with the poor track recorded of our organization with draft selections and player develpment.
Wish JP all the best. He stayed classy when certain writers posted nothing but hate for his game and Sullivan who seemed to just not like the guy.
Now the Neito fans boys can back go to their bragging rights about a guy “whose really good killing penalties” 1-3 minutes a night being better than JP.
I certainly don’t get giving up guaranteed money for an AHL contract that would be much less. I would think he might get a contract in Finland or somewhere else in Europe.
Best wishes to him. It’s an intriguing decision to join a championship contender like the Panthers. If he gets the opportunity to play, he might benefit from extended time on the ice. Additionally, his agent may have placed him in a setting where he can play alongside fellow Finns like Lundell and Mikkola.
I guess there was no interest from Europe.