The Oilers had high hopes for this player as they drafted him in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, in the first round, 4th pick overall.
As he had worked through a few coaches while staying with the Oilers his plane never gained any traction and dipped often every season. Just before the trade deadline this year General Manager Ken Holland decided to find Puljujarvi a new home to see if he can refine his game.
They moved to the Carolina Hurricanes for 22-year-old right-winger Patrik Puistola. He was the third-round choice by Carolina in 2019 73rd overall. Puistola has never played in the NHL as of yet and his contract is about to expire, fans seem to be up in arms that the Oilers will not retain this asset.
If the Oilers did not retain him, it's telling the NHL that they dumped Puljujarvi for absolutely nothing it was a complete contract dump. It also tells me that there may be something wrong with his game and that Holland doesn't feel it's worth signing him and allowing him to become a free agent for another team to sign.
It seems the story of Puljujarvi and Puistola will come to an unfortunate end with the Oilers.
POLL | ||
JUIN 1 | 180 ANSWERS Oilers fans are upset they will not sign a Finnish prospect Should the Oilers consider re signing Patrik Puistola? | ||
Yes | 56 | 31.1 % |
No | 124 | 68.9 % |
List of polls |