Jesse Puljujarvi gets brutally honest in Finnish interview after Penguins' contract termination
Former Oilers first round draft pick Jesse Puljujarvi had his contract terminated by the Pittsburgh Penguins this week, and now has opened up about the experience in a new Finnish interview.
It looked like Puljujarvi's NHL career may be over after the contract termination, but he was quickly able to sign a tryout deal with the Florida Panthers organization to keep the NHL dream alive.
Jesse Puljujarvi gets brutally honest about contract termination in new Finnish interview
Puljujarvi spoke candidly to the Finnish publication Iltalehti about his struggles in Pittsburgh this season. He admitted that he had no room to grow in the Penguins organization, which promoted a mutual termination.
At this point in my career, I didn't think about money at all. I want to enjoy hockey, play and see the light at the end of the tunnel. I felt it was important.
- Jesse Puljujarvi
Earlier this season, Puljujarvi revealed in another Finnish interview that he was feeling annoyed with the Penguins organization's treatment of him after hip surgery, which is another factor that influenced the termination.
Many expected Puljujarvi to go back to Europe to continue his playing career, but Puljujarvi said he was willing to take a significant pay cut and any opportunity possible to work his way back to the NHL.
Puljujarvi awkwardly admitted that it hurt passing through waivers unclaimed yet again, but he's willing to put in the work to get back.
My NHL value is not very good. On the other hand, I had already not played for a couple of months at the point when I was put on the transfer list. All that can be said is that the level here is tough. Of course, the teams have their own youngsters and so on.
Puljujarvi had good results with the Penguins in very limited minutes coming off of double hip surgery. In 26 games, he scored 3 goals and 9 points - he's also dominated in the AHL in his latest stints.
The path back to the NHL is tough for Puljujarvi in the Florida Panthers organization, a deep team up front that heavily values physicality. However, if he can make a good impression in the AHL and turn it into another opportunity next season, it'll be worth it to Puljujarvi.
Oilers fans will still be cheering for the 26 year old, even though he didn't work out for being such a high draft pick in Edmonton. Puljujarvi was a fantastic personality, and is clearly still driven to play in the NHL.
