Should the Canadiens Consider Former Oiler Forward for a PTO?

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Ryan Hall
August 11, 2023 (8:47)

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The story of Jesse Puljujärvi has been one of sheer disappointment over the past few years. Drafted as the 4th overall pick in the first round in 2016 by the Oilers, the expectations for this six-foot-four right winger were extremely high, with many anticipating numerous goals and points.

Right from the start, his numbers were far from impressive, playing 28 games in 2016 and only managing to score one goal with seven assists, totalling eight points. Some players need time to adjust to the smaller rink, especially if they come from Europe.

However, this adjustment never seemed to materialize for Jesse, and the disappointment continued for another five seasons.

After a lengthy and challenging period with the Oilers, General Manager Ken Holland finally found him a home with the Carolina Hurricanes at the end of 2023, where he played 17 games and secured only 2 assists.

As the summer winds down, players without contracts are now exploring the option of a Professional Try-Out (PTO) to potentially find a new team, typically at a league minimum salary. An article on hockeyfanatics.com suggested that Puljujärvi should be given the opportunity for a PTO with the Canadiens.

Considering that the Canadiens are in the midst of a rebuilding phase, and with players constantly rotating in and out of the lineup, the idea holds some merit. Offering Puljujärvi a PTO could be an interesting move, as it provides a chance to assess if he fits the Canadiens' playing style.

Puljujärvi's NHL career spans 334 games, during which he managed to score 51 goals and provide 63 assists, amounting to 114 points. He holds a plus-minus rating of +5 and has contributed 15 power-play points. Should the Canadiens decide to take a chance on him and offer a PTO, the organization faces minimal risk.

If he doesn't perform as expected, they can simply release him and move forward.