Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x
Jesse Puljujarvi Has Great Chance to Make Penguins Roster
USA TODAY Sports

After a tough start to the 2023-24 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have looked for some outside help to help push them back in the right direction.

The Penguins announced that Jesse Puljujarvi has joined the team on a free agent tryout basis, but he has a real chance at cracking the roster.

After undergoing a double hip surgery, Puljujarvi hit the free agent market this past summer, but no one took a flier on the 25-year-old former fourth overall pick.

The recovery process was expected to be long, likely giving teams across the league pause, but he was recently cleared for contact and the Penguins swooped right in.

“It’s been tough,” Puljujarvi said on his surgery and working his way back. “I have to do treatments a lot and fight every day to get the best possible way to play.”

Despite a rocky road through the first six seasons of his NHL career, Puljujarvi is ready to find stability and prove he can still hit the potential he entered the league with in 2016.

“It’s really hard right now,” Puljujarvi said. “Coming back here to show everyone I’m a good player for this league.”

Puljujarvi has the potential to provide the Penguins with multiple skill sets, putting him in good position to earn a full deal with the team.

Head coach Mike Sullivan said as much, even without knowing a ton about the kind of game he plays.

“We’re going to do our best to help him get up to speed,” Sullivan said. “It’ll give us a chance to get familiar with his overall game. As I said to him this morning, there’s an opportunity for him to possible establish himself with a roster spot.”

The Penguins are a team dealing with numerous injuries, but even in a healthy lineup, the bottom six forward group has been a few steps behind everyone else.

This is the perfect spot for Puljujarvi to step in, especially if Bryan Rust is out long term; Rickard Rakell could return and take the first or second line, Valtteri Puustinen seems to be getting another look at the NHL, and Puljujarvi can fit right on the third line.

Puljujarvi stands tall at 6-foot-4 and loves using his body to create space and chances with 139 hits in 75 total games played last year.

Sullivan says it’s hard to pick up on certain things after just one practice, but he’s liked what he’s seen so far.

“I think he’s a rangy guy, he brings a lot of size and reach,” Sullivan said. “He has an offensive dimension to his game. We’ll see where it goes moving forward and potentially where he could fit into our roster.”

The Penguins need the help and Puljujarvi is deserving of another chance at the NHL; this could be a perfect situation for both sides and things seem likely for the sizable youngster.

Since it’s a free agent tryout, Puljujarvi can participate in all team activities, but cannot play in games.

This article first appeared on Pittsburgh Penguins on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

TODAY'S BEST

NHL Insider Predicts Oilers Will Complete Three Blockbuster Extensions Before Training Camp
NHL

NHL Insider Predicts Oilers Will Complete Three Blockbuster Extensions Before Training Camp

NHL insider Bob Stauffer strongly believes the Oilers will extend three of their key players, Connor McDavid, Jake Walman, and Mattias Ekholm, before training camp. The Edmonton Oilers aren't finished making transactions this offseason, and if team insider Bob Stauffer is to be believed, they're not finished spending, either. Though the club has already signed star defenseman Evan Bouchard to a four-year extension at $10.5 million per year, there may be more significant contracts coming down the pipe. Quoting Bob Stauffer on his 'Oilers Now' podcast, 'Edmonton Journal' columnist David Staples suggests three more significant extensions will be signed by the end of summer. McDavid could sign a new extension right after Leon Draisaitl's wedding At the top of that list: Connor McDavid. Stauffer believes a new contract for the Oilers captain is imminent, probably following Leon Draisaitl's wedding in early August, a timeline that should calm some nerves in Edmonton. 'Let's just cut to the chase here. I still believe 100% that Connor McDavid will be extended in the off season by the Edmonton Oilers. I know there's some people freaking out. There's one of the Toronto media guys who every day tweets an update on how many days until McDavid becomes a free agent.' - Bob Stauffer Stauffer also commented on the future of the Oilers' blue-line core. Jake Walman, picked up midseason and effective down the stretch, will be due for a new contract. 'Then there's Jake Walman. He's going to get extended too. You could pretty much bet on that.' - Bob Stauffer Another name to keep an eye on is veteran defenseman Matthias Ekholm, who has been a calming influence on the back end. 'And it wouldn't surprise me if the Oilers extended Matthias Ekholm, maybe even this summer.' - Bob Stauffer Notably, any of these possible extensions wouldn't affect the Oilers' 2025-26 salary cap, since they would kick in for 2026-27. For now, GM Stan Bowman has just $225,000 in cap space to navigate the upcoming season, leaving little room for immediate changes, but big-picture planning is clearly underway.

Ryan McMahon Trade Helps Yankees Fix a $218 Million Problem
MLB

Ryan McMahon Trade Helps Yankees Fix a $218 Million Problem

The Yankees didn’t make a flashy move Friday. They made a smart one. By acquiring third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Rockies, they sent a message: it’s time to start protecting their most expensive assets. That starts with providing Max Fried with the defense he deserves. Why This Trade Starts With Fried New York spent $218 million this winter on a groundball artist. Fried has done his job, generating weak contact and keeping the ball on the dirt. But the defense behind him hasn’t held up its end. The Yankees have committed 52 errors this season, tied for 9th in the American League. In Fried’s 21 starts alone, the team has committed 15 errors, including two by Fried himself. That’s the most defensive miscues behind any Yankees pitcher this season. Games that should’ve been shut down have been extended. Outs that should’ve ended innings have turned into rallies. For a team built around starting pitching, the leaks have been costly. What McMahon Brings McMahon isn’t coming in to carry the offense. He’s here to clean things up. The 29-year-old has made over 90 starts at third base this year and ranks among the league’s best in Defensive Runs Saved since 2021 (17 DRS). He brings steady hands, quick reads, and the kind of routine-play consistency the Yankees have been missing on the left side. Offensively, McMahon isn’t a star (.217/.314/.403, 16 HR), but his lefty bat offers a little juice. There may be more there, especially at Yankee Stadium, where that short porch has saved more than a few lefty swings. Help at Shortstop McMahon has played all over the field in the past—but never shortstop. Rockies broadcaster and former teammate Ryan Spilborghs floated the idea that McMahon’s presence could help Anthony Volpe settle back into form. But the Yankees will still need to carry a true backup shortstop on the roster. Bottom Line With the season tightening and the margin for error disappearing, the Yankees are making sure their most important investments, like Fried, aren’t left hanging. McMahon may not be the star of this deadline. But if he helps prevent a few more innings from unraveling, he’ll be worth every bit of the trade.

Packers rookie could miss time after suffering injury in training camp
NFL

Packers rookie could miss time after suffering injury in training camp

The Green Bay Packers offense was dealt a bit of a blow early in training camp. Friday, third-round rookie wide receiver Savion Williams was a spectator for practice after suffering a concussion. Williams, chosen by the Packers with the No. 87 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft, is aiming to climb the depth chart at a crowded wide receiver position this summer. At 6-foot-4 and 222 pounds, Williams ran the 40-yard dash in a blazing 4.48 seconds during the NFL Combine and has the profile of potentially becoming a reliable possession receiver and after-the-catch weapon for quarterback Jordan Love and the Packers’ offense. Reaching those benchmarks and climbing the depth chart will have to wait, though, as Williams works his way through the concussion protocol and back onto the field for practices during training camp and the preseason this summer.

Vikings HC discusses Justin Jefferson's availability for Week 1 after injury
NFL

Vikings HC discusses Justin Jefferson's availability for Week 1 after injury

On Friday, the Minnesota Vikings announced a concerning training-camp injury for Justin Jefferson, which will sideline the star wide receiver during the preseason. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell told the media that Jefferson felt discomfort on Thursday. Minnesota discovered he has a mild left hamstring strain. The Vikings plan to be cautious with the four-time Pro Bowl receiver during the preseason. However, O'Connell believes there is no doubt that Jefferson will play the Chicago Bears in Week 1 at Soldier Field. "The best thing is, we avoided anything serious," O'Connell said via Alec Lewis of The Athletic. "I see no concerns in regards to the opener (against Chicago). I have no worry at all that we’ll be able to get Justin ready to go for the regular season.” Jefferson, 26, suffered a right hamstring injury in Week 5 of the 2023 campaign, causing him to miss seven games. The All-Pro wideout is coming off a season where he recorded 103 receptions for 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Vikings are doing the right thing by choosing to be cautious in the preseason with their best player. Minnesota needs its No. 1 receiver available for first-year starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the regular season. Jefferson has had big games against the Bears during his time in the league, including four games (out of eight appearances) with 100+ receiving yards. He has 50 receptions for 685 yards and three touchdowns against Chicago since he was taken by the Vikings in the first round of the 2020 draft.