Former first-round pick Jesse Puljujarvi signs with new team

This season, Puljujarvi has bounced around between the minors and the NHL. In 26 games, he has three goals and six assists with the Penguins.

So it leads one to wonder: What's next for Puljujarvi?

Puljujarvi signed as insurance depth for Florida's Stanley Cup push

Signed to Florida's AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, Puljujarvi is most likely an insurance policy for GM Bill Zito.

The Panthers are undoubtedly primed for a long playoff run, but they will need help if any injuries occur. This is also Puljujarvi's chance to finally play meaningfully in the postseason and win the Cup.

He was drafted fourth overall by Edmonton in 2016, but he never blossomed into the player we heard so much hype about.

In 382 career games, he has only scored 57 goals and 70 assists and has never reached the 20-goal plateau.

Traded to Carolina for Patrik Puistola, he spent one season there before signing a two-year, $1.6M contract with the Penguins in 2023.

It will benefit both parties if he can play well enough for Charlotte to earn a look in the playoffs. Puljujarvi has never shown his true potential; a winning environment could be the key to unlocking it.

He should also help a Charlotte team that could use an influx of scoring, and Puljujarvi can offer that success at the AHL level (49 points in 70 career games).