Former First Round Pick Jesse Puljujarvi Signs With New Team
Jesse Puljujarvi had his contract terminated with the Pittsburgh Penguins this weekend and has now found himself on a Stanley Cup contender.
It didn't take long for former top-five draft pick Jesse Puljujarvi to get snatched up after his contract was terminated with Pittsburgh over the weekend. According to reports, the forward is signing a deal with the Florida Panthers -- more specifically their AHL affiliate Charlotte.
This season, Puljujarvi has bounced around between the minors and the NHL. In 26 games he has 3 goals and 6 assists with the Penguins.
So it leads one to wonder -- What's next for Jesse Puljujarvi?
Jesse 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.
No doubt primed for a long playoff run, the Panthers are going to need some help if any injuries pop up. It's a chance also for Puljujarvi to finally get a chance to not only play in the postseason for a meaningful time -- but could end up a Cup winner.
Drafted fourth overall by Edmonton in 2016, he never blossomed into the player we heard so much hype about.
In 382 career games he only has 57 goals and 70 assists and has never once 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.
If he can come in and play well enough for Charlotte to earn a look come playoff time, it can only benefit both parties. Puljujarvi has never shown his true potential and a winning environment could be a 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).
What do YOU think? Will Jesse Puljujarvi help Florida in their Stanley Cup run? Or is he just making another stop in his journeyman career? Let us know!
