PITTSBURGH – It was a long road for Jesse Puljujarvi after an offseason double hip surgery but he’s finally getting his chance back in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Eight months following his surgery, the Penguins announced that they have signed Puljujarvi to a two-year deal. A well-earned contract after rehabbing and working his way back to form.
After spending time on tryout offers, Puljujarvi says he feels good and is ready to contribute with the Penguins.
“It’s been almost eight months after surgery,” Puljujarvi said. “I’ve been working really hard and getting this opportunity. This has been the big call to get some games again up in the best league in the world.”
Puljujarvi played 13 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins before singing his NHL contract and he saw that as a good chance to learn how to play in the organization.
“I think I can help this team when I’m skating well and making good plays and be myself,” Puljujarvi said. “Try to be energized every day. Be smiling and be part of this team.”
The Penguins have high hopes for Puljujarvi and he could be ready to see the NHL again in the very near future. Head coach Mike Sullivan listed him as a game-time decision against the Winnipeg Jets after skating on the Penguins third line in practice.
Puljujarvi was brought into the Penguins organization with the hopes of bolstering the bottom six. In his first skate back with the NHL club, Puljujarvi had Lars Eller and Rickard Rakell as his linemates.
The direction the Penguins plan on taking is yet to be determined, but Jesse Puljujarvi is a big addition that could help the Penguins in more ways than one. He should help the defensive side of things, but also has the ability to be a sneaky scoring threat on the third line.
More must-reads: