Penguins
Puljujarvi Clears; Sullivan Explains Why Penguins Waived Him
DETROIT — At 2 p.m. ET, Jesse Puljujarvi will likely have a new hockey address. Monday, the Pittsburgh Penguins put the big winger on waivers. The team with the highest waiver priority, which submits a claim, will be awarded the player.
Update: Puljujarvi was unclaimed. He will be assigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL.
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said Puljujarvi and general manager Kyle Dubas had a conversation and also offered his insights on the situation.
“Kyle spoke to him about the process. He’s been out of the lineup for a little while now, and part of it is just being fair to the player. Jesse is a great kid,” said Sulivan. “He’s worked extremely hard to get himself in the position that he’s been in. He’s been in our lineup and he’s had some success. You know, we’ve chosen to go with the group that we’ve had here for a little while. We feel like the group that we put in the lineup every night has played extremely well and is deserving of being in the lineup, and the results have followed.
“More importantly, it’s about being a fair player.”
The obvious inference from Sullivan was the Penguins expect Puljujarvi to be claimed.
Puljujarvi hasn’t played since Dec. 7. In his career, he’s struggled to maintain a place in the NHL since being the fourth overall pick in 2016 by the Edmonton Oilers. He had double hip surgery in the summer of 2023 and signed a free-agent tryout agreement with the Penguins in December 2023. However, his 10-day tryout expired without a contract, and he signed a professional tryout agreement with the WBS Penguins and was eventually called up to Pittsburgh in February.
Last season, Puljujarvi had four points (3-1-4) in 22 games. He played 21 games this season and registered eight points (3-5-8). Puljujarvi has played in 357 career NHL games and has 56 goals and 126 points.
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83 has 1-2-3 in 17 GP. He doesn’t win pucks and doesn’t hit anybody!
Fire Sully!
I dont understand the downvotes. Puuljuvari imo should be in the lineup, and without a doubt certainly ahead of Nieto who you just mentioned. I notice Puuljuvari when he plays. He leaves a mark on the game. Nieto is a ghost.
Nieto is a strong penalty killer. They don’t want to mess with that when it’s become 6th in the league. He’s a fourth liner that doesn’t give you much else.
Jessie almost needs to play in top 6 or at least top 9
Very accurate and with nieto on the 4th line blocks DOC from playing were he plays best
Those who don’t see that really don’t understand hockey and only see points as the judgement of how a player’s role should be (narrow and shortsighted)
Look at the team’s record with Nieto in the lineup, fellas. 10-5-2 overall, and 9-2-1 in last 12. With Puljujarvi, Pens are 6-11-4 overall, 3-10-4 in last 17. Nieto is an excellent penalty killer and very good defensively. Also, he has 3 points in his last 9 games, same as Puljujarvi has in his last 11. Puljujarvi isn’t good enough offensively to play in Pens’ top 6, and he is not good enough defensively to play in bottom 6. This is actually a very good sign for the team, indicates that the 10-4-1 run may not be a fluke.
btw, i’ll admit i was wrong on Nieto initially. Had same impression about soft, quiet play, and was calling for him to be pulled. but he is proving to be relentless on forecheck, quietly effective, reasonably quick, etc.
He does nothing.
Very little to do with Puljuvari and more to do with D men actually playing D. Jesse was reasonably responsible defensively and more physical than 10 or 11 of the forwards in the lineup right now. As the league gets bigger and faster the pens get smaller and slower.
Thankfully someone commenting here has some hockey knowledge. 👍
Last time JP was in the lineup the Pens were playing with no energy and purpose. He was one of the few players that stood out on a positive note. Unfair comparison.
Exactly!
I forgot how much more you know than sully.
Wow, is so crazy that a player as great as Puljujarvi went unclaimed by 31 NHL teams! He will most likely go down to WB/S and get his game back up to speed after sitting out for so long. He should kill it down there and be the first to get called back up when there is an injury.
From recent reporting on prospects from Dan and others, it seems more likely that the next call up for forward will be McGroarty, Broz or Koivenan (sp?), depending on if it is a center or winger being replaced. Could be setting up for some young guy call ups to provide spark in Feb/Mar, like in the past with Guentz, Rust, Kunackle (sp?), Sheary, etc.
Could be that, but it all depends on the individual performance and fit for what the penguins need at the NHL level. We will see.
Sully playing a prospect, you have to be kidding me! He stuck with Carter and Harkins all last year! This year it is DOC, Glass, Nieto and Grzelcyk!!!
They could call up any of the guys you mentioned AND they are on 2 way contracts and don’t need waivers,, where everyone has to hold their breath, to send back down.
I might have used good, but ditto!
It was sarcasm. People were acting like the penguins waived Jagr.
What’s hard to believe, he’s been an underachieving enigma with 4 organizations. If he was any good he’d have had a full time job in the league instead of being traded, waived and riding the bus in the “A”
My sarcasm was extra thick 😉
Interesting that the coach explains the roster move instead of the pohogm.
Don’t read too much into that. We get to speak with Dubas only on big occasions. Sullivan is accessible daily, so I asked the question of him, because this GM keeps him in the loop.
Dan, it’s a bit ironic for you to mock us fans, since the real analytics crew have done so well for the last three seasons.
Happy new year!
A few people just act so silly. 31 teams passed on Puljujarvi. That should tell everyone something. People sitting at home or in the stands think that they know better. The coaches and members of the front office watch these players day in and day out. They are in these positions for a reason. They DO know better, despite what armchair GMs may think.
Every team passed on Kaprizov. Forsling was lost in Chicago and waived by Carolina. It happens all the time…
The other teams obviously feel they have better players than Jesse…..we don’t.
Last three seasons? First thing Dubas did was begin building a modern analytics department. We’re 12 months or less into the result of that.
I mean, I’ll be happy to mock you over other things.
With reasoning skills you don’t have to wait more than 12 months.
The guy just doesn’t have anything to benefit a team,,”useless “, retire or go back home where 10 goals or 20 points is a good season , you had your chance to prove it, your another Daigle, wickenisier,,
Sullivan’s reason…..because he is a bad coach for younger players
Owen Pickering. Philip Tomasino this season. Giving McGroarty a long runway. When does this virulent strain get cured, when all 19 skaters are 23 and under?
Judging by the comments it’s obvious as usual that few who subscribe and comment here have very little knowledge about the game. Jesse is an underachiever throughout his career. When you’re no better than any other forward on the roster you ride the bus in the “A” it’s pretty simple. As far as replacing Nieto, obviously Jesse isn’t a 4th line forward, He has no PK ability nor the mindset to play that role. Pens are currently 7th in the league as far as PK. The 4th line will remain intact because of that and the fact that they rarely… Read more »