Former Oiler Jesse Puljujarvi Admits Annoyance With Penguins Treatment of Him

In a Finnish interview, Puljujarvi opened up about how the healthy scratches are affecting his hips and potentially his career.

"It's frustrating. I worked for 1.5 years to be in good shape for the season, but it doesn't help. This is not nice. Yes, it eats a man" says Puljujärvi, annoyed

- Ilta-Sanomat, Translated from Finnish

Puljujarvi has 3 goals and 8 points in 21 games this season, a decent scoring rate for a bottom six forward on a struggling Penguins team. He's not only played in one of the last 8 Penguins games.

Jesse Puljujarvi Admits Frustration For Healthy Scratches This Season

Earlier this season, Coach Mike Sullivan explained his decision to scratch Puljujarvi was avout his attention to details, which hasn't lined up with what anyone else saw, and is now having real consequences.

Puljujarvi is saying he's finding it difficult to get into any rhythm with his hips with these extended periods of time in the press box, and he's being extremely discouraged in his rehab from injury.

"It annoys me if there are missed days. And now, unfortunately, they have arrived. In the evening, it's nice to go to bed knowing that the training day was good. Now, it hasn't always felt like that."

- Jesse Puljujarvi

This clearly shows he's unhappy with the situation now in Pittsburgh, which could soon lead to a change of scenery. It's likely that Puljujarvi would welcome a trade to another team, or even to be sent to the AHL for regular ice time.

If he doesn't get into the lineup soon, it's looking like Puljujarvi's time in Pittsburgh will come to an end soon. Hopefully it does too, for the future of his career. Oilers fans will still be wishing the best for Puljujarvi in his next chapter, when it comes.

More details and analysis to come.