Jesse Puljujarvi is getting a fresh start with a Stanley Cup contender, just days after the Pittsburgh Penguins terminated his contract.
The Florida Panthers swooped in quickly to sign the former top-five draft pick, though he’ll start with their AHL team in Charlotte.
It’s been a bumpy road this season for the 25-year-old forward. He’s split time between the NHL and minors, putting up 3 goals and 6 assists in 26 games with Pittsburgh.
For Florida, grabbing Puljujarvi looks like a smart insurance move. The Panthers are one of the NHL’s hottest teams and seem poised for a deep playoff run. If injuries hit during the postseason, they’ll have an NHL-experienced forward ready to step in.
It could be a perfect chance for Puljujarvi to finally taste playoff success too.
The thing is, he’s never quite lived up to the massive hype that came with being the fourth overall pick back in 2016. Edmonton had high hopes when they drafted him, but the numbers tell the story – just 57 goals and 70 assists in 382 NHL games.
He’s bounced around a bit since leaving Edmonton. Carolina gave him a shot last year, trading Patrik Puistola to get him. Then Pittsburgh signed him to a two-year, $1.6M deal in 2023, but that obviously didn’t work out.
Here’s what makes this interesting: Puljujarvi has actually been pretty solid at the AHL level, with 49 points in 70 games. Charlotte could really use that scoring punch right now.
Maybe this is exactly what he needs – a winning environment with less pressure and a chance to rebuild his game. If he plays well in Charlotte, don’t be surprised to see him suiting up for Florida when the playoffs roll around.
For both Puljujarvi and the Panthers, it’s a low-risk move that could pay off big time come playoff time.
