News: Penguins Waive Puljujarvi; Is It Letang Related?
Nearly one year after signing Jesse Puljujarvi to a tryout agreement, the Pittsburgh Penguins waived winger Jesse Puljujarvi Monday.
Unless another team submits a claim for the 6-foot-4, 201-pound RW, he will clear waivers at 2 p.m. Tuesday before the Penguins face the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena.
Puljujarvi had an outstanding training camp and made the team out of camp. However, he hasn’t played since Dec. 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. In 21 games this season, he has eight points, including three goals. He averaged 11:36 of ice time.
The move might appear to be interesting timing, considering the unknown status of defenseman Kris Letang. Coach Mike Sullivan said Letang underwent testing from team doctors on Sunday, but Sullivan didn’t yet have answers Sunday night.
Defenseman Nate Clurman made his NHL debut in place of Letang. According to Puckpedia.com, the Penguins have over $2.5 million in salary cap space but a full 23-man roster. Injuries have ravaged the defense corps, as Letang’s status is unknown, Marcus Pettersson is healing from a lower-body injury, and Owen Pickering has a concussion.
The Puljujarvi move could be to free up the roster spot for a depth defender.
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Oh no, the Puljujarvi cult is going to be mad. Has he even been practicing? I haven’t read anything about him since he became a regular scratch. If he is healthy, its curious as to why he hasn’t been able to get into any games when there are players on the team struggling to score as much as he was. I feel like someone will claim him, but not 100% sure about that.
Called it 🤣
The other guy with the same initials as Dan is positively obsessed. Guess he needed a new object of affection after Eller was traded.
You mean it’s not Jarry?
Horrible move the guy did nothing but put points up everytime he was in the lineup. Problem is Sullivan hardly ever played him despite his production. Have to be a sully guy to play! Sullivan definitely mismanaged him what is with all these coaches in Pittsburgh they make horrendous decisions and they’re untouchable. It’s ridiculous and I’m getting sick of it. Jesse was a heck of a hockey player never really got the chance to show what he could do in the lineup but when he was in the lineup, all he did was put points up ridiculous management! fire… Read more »
I’m not in the fire Sully camp but I have to agree Jesse has been horribly mismanaged. He provided energy and physicality every time he was on the ice and no less scoring than anyone else out there on the third and fourth lines. I disagree with this move 100% and for his sake hope someone takes him that’ll give him an honest shot.
The guy plays drive by defense, swinging his stick at puck, hardly ever takes body. He shows speed and size, but basically no finishing ability. Our bottom six is much better without him in lineup.
O’Connor’s -15 plus/minus is proof of that.
Yes check out the plus./minus of everyone else, like 10, 83 , 55, 19, none of whom produce at 18’s level, he should be playing ahead of all of those players, who by the way all are making more $$$ and taking up more cap space!!!
You missed Narduzzi
8 points in 21 games is hardly putting up points every time he was in the lineup. I do agree that he could have been utilized better. Maybe put him in front of the net on the powerplay perhaps. Hopefully he doesn’t get claimed and he can get into a rhythm in wb to get scoring again. He created when he was in the lineup but he was snakebit as far as hitting the score sheet.
This is a surprise
It shouldn’t be since he’s been in the doghouse for some unknown reason while one guy can go 32 games w/o a goal, is not noticeable most games, has regressed from last season, and still gets a sweater.
Boo!
Dan I hope you write a column of your insight of this situation I would be intrigued as many others would be of information you might know Thank you for your work!
your a gentleman and a scholar!
i can summarize the column quickly. Fans were wrong to attach themselves. He scored some points, but his game was lacking. He might be fast in a straight line but his agility was subpar. His defense was suspect. Remember when fans assumed Daniel Sprong would be great if only Sullivan would give him more of a chance…and then team after team moved him on? It’s a lot like that.
So any other guy would be worked with in practice as they said they were DOJ g with him and then get a chance to get back in the lineup. But not Jesse. Certain guys can do nothing for 32 games, couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn with a puck from five feet, have a minus 15, be a major disappointment, yet get a sweater every freaking game. Tell me who is suspect. We know Sully gets attached to certain players the eye test and stats be damned. One of them is O’Connor the same way he did with… Read more »
Are there reports or evidence to suggest they aren’t working with him in practice to try and help him improve? Or that they aren’t communicating clearly what they need from him?
Honestly, I think the biggest issue for Jesse is Tomasino. They play similar roles—with similar defensive weaknesses—but Phil is quicker and contributing offensively.
I’m at practice more than anyone. He had one-on-one coaching time after skates and practices. I’m not sure how or where you came to the conclusion that coaches abandoned him. That is demonstrably incorrect, and I hope no other media is spreading that.
I think both things can be true. Yes DOC is struggling snake bit and yes, he’s Sully’s boy. No question. A Jesse P is also a big guy with straight ahead speed that really doesn’t get that same love as DOC. But really Jesse P isn’t that good.
Letang related? Elaborate please!
He speculated in the article (you need to read it, not just the headline), that this move is possibly to free up a roster spot in order to add a depth defenseman. I think it just means Pettersson is coming back.
The entire second half of the article.
“The Puljujarvi move could be to free up the roster spot for a depth defender”- gotcha.
Don’t forget about the penalties in the o zone
Another stupid let’s placate Sully move. DOC is the new Jansen Harkins but yet he remains in the lineup. I truly hope the Pens miss the playoffs again (Sid’s feelings be damned) so they can get rid of Sully. And why would it be related to getting another depth defenseman? Are you going to sacrifice the future again to barely squeak into the playoffs or get swept in the first round? Clurman looked like a multi-year pro last night. Give these young guys a chance and you might be surprised. Don’t worry. Sully will bench him for opening the bench… Read more »
Clurman looked pretty good. Great story and very happy for him to get to the NHL. He seemed to be taking it all in and enjoying the opportunity, which was all wonderful.
But he did get beat pretty badly by Nelson and then took a penalty trying to recover. Liked his movement and willingness to get the puck to the net, but I saw reason to temper expectations as well.
For everyone complaining, you realize he played zero defense. So unless your name is Alex ovechkin your not going to get away with zero defense
Not sure what games you were watching?
what game period and time?
is that why there are a buzz of teams waiting to claim him?
O’Connor is -15.
Letang is on a pace for -41, which would be his carer worst, not that anyone seems to care or anything.
Been saying he’s trash for years.should have let him walk after his last contract was up
And yet Nieto continues to play. Fire Sully!
The Pens’ fourth line has been really sound during this recent stretch. That line gives energy and helps halt and shift momentum. Nieto may not light the lamp a ton, but he kills penalties and is defensively reliable. Not sure putting Jesse there improves that line in its current role.
And can we all just take a breath. Fire Sully? The team has fought back into the playoff picture. If the coach has to take an inordinate amount of blame for losing and what not, you have to also, grudgingly perhaps, give him credit for getting the ship righted.
Six years without a playoff series win. Now seven. Fire Sully Fire Sully Fire Sully!
Nieto does NOTHING!
They need to clear a roster spot for pettersson to return. And the journeyman 26 year old they played last night showed better than PO Joseph, who was largely responsible for defensive breakdowns that lead to both islanders goals. They prolly want to keep him around for a few more games to see if that continues…
You’re dreaming.
Maybe if one or both d men are ready to return, it’s to recall one of the young forwards
Send Letang to Montreal, the ideal place for him to skate into the sunset.
Send him to anyone stupid enough to take him
Predictions for how many teams will put in a claim for Puljujarvu?
Any prediction for when he scores his first goal against us?
Not Pujo! Just because the NHL’s biggest helmet sits on top of his head like Topo Gigio’s cap is no reason to kick him to the curb.
Pujo is much more productive than DOC who seemingly can’t be budged from his spot despite not showing up now for more than 2 months.
I know, and we all know, Sully is stubborn. He would try to pound a square peg in a round hole with a nerf hammer. Even though it seems he has “righted the ship”, well sorta, he won’t prove a thing until he gets into the playoffs and into at least the 2nd round.
If Sullivan helps this team into the playoffs, it would likely stand as one of his best coaching efforts. It seems highly unlikely Dubas is bringing in help unless it’s a player like Tomasino or perhaps a rental vet whose salary a contender needs to dump to make bigger moves.