If he doesn't get the trade he wants from the Oilers, then Jesse Puljujarvi already has a fallback plan. The 2016 fourth overall pick signed a one-year deal with Oulun Karpa in Finland on Tuesday, a contract that includes an NHL opt-out through December 1 should Puljujarvi get the trade heโs seeking.
Draisaitl suggests that he would be open to having Puljujarvi back as a teammate, should he change his mind โ but it isnโt lost on him that Puljujarvi clearly has no interest in playing for the Oilers right now.
โYou obviously want guys to pan out and want guys to help you on your team, but again, it seems like he doesn't want to be on our team as of right now. Maybe that changes,โ says Draisaitl.
You never know, but for now, it seems unlikely to change. After putting pen to paper in Finland, one figures that Puljujarvi would only play in the NHL this season following a trade to another team.
Obviously, Puljujarvi has struggled through his first few seasons in the NHL, but the former top prospect is hoping that a change of scenery helps โ specifically, heโs hoping to land a top-six role outside of Edmonton. (We... have some questions.)
