There's bad news for Jesse Puljujarvi's free agent market prospects

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Joshua Deeds
October 25, 2023 (8:40 PM)

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After recovering from his double hip surgery, Jesse Puljujarvi hoped to find a new home in the NHL.

NHL insiders have speculated that teams may be interested in the forward, who is still a young player by NHL standards.

«He will get another shot. My guess is he's probably going to have to start somewhere on a professional tryout or an AHL deal to try and work his way back. I think it wasn't just a health thing that kept him from getting to the level that he wanted to be at, and a lot of people thought that he could get to. I think there was also a confidence factor, so I think he's got a long way to go, and teams aren't going to be knocking down his door to get another opportunity after the way things ended in Carolina. It was pretty bleak, so he's got a long way back.»

Despite still being in recovery, he is still looking for an NHL deal, which led NHL Insider Frank Seravalli to explain why he may need to take a contract in the AHL in the meantime.

As a result of the Edmonton Oilers sending Puljujarvi to Carolina at the trade deadline, he had hoped to stay in Carolina. In 17 games for the Canes, he recorded two assists and one assist in nine playoff contests.

Puljujarvi had hoped multiple NHL teams would contact him during his recovery period, but with November fast approaching no one has called.

An AHL team could use him as a bottom-six forward, though he may have to work his way up.

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