Jesse Puljujarvi’s value as a first-time free agent was damaged on Thursday when news broke that the Finn recently underwent double-hip surgery and will face a lengthy rehab period.
Carolina Hurricanes GM Don Waddell hoped Finnish connections in Carolina would jump-start Puljujarvi’s play, but things didn’t work out. After registering just two assists in 17 regular-season games with the Canes and one more in seven postseason contests, the forward will not receive a qualifying offer from the team.
The injury-ravaged Hurricanes traded for Puljujarvi at the end of February; former third-rounder Patrik Puistola went to Edmonton in the deal.
Puljujarvi has had a tumultuous NHL journey since being selected fourth overall in 2016. He is a good skater who uses his athleticism on defense and to create chances for himself and others, but a lack of finishing touch has severely limited his potential as a top-six NHL forward.
After registering just 32 goals and 62 points over his first 194 games in Edmonton, it seemed Puljujarvi turned a corner in 2021-2022 by notching 14 goals and 36 points in 65 games. After he backslid last season (5G, 14P in 58GP), though, the Oilers finally cut bait. Following his lukewarm arrival in Carolina, there are questions about the player’s future.
Perhaps Puljujarvi’s major surgery will cast him in a more positive light for suitors in the offseason, who may assume whatever ailments he was battling affected his production.
If he could catch on with a rebuilding team, Puljujarvi could at least get a last audition to show what he can do in a top-nine role at the NHL level.
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