The Pittsburgh Penguins have officially placed Finnish winger Jesse Puljujärvi on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract, according to various sources including NHL insider Frank Seravalli. This decision marks the end of Puljujärvi's tumultuous tenure with the Penguins, as both parties look to part ways.
Puljujärvi's contract termination occurs at a rather significant time, just days before the NHL's international transfer deadline, which is set for February 15. If Puljujärvi requested the termination, it may indicate his desire to return to Europe where he could play out the remainder of the season. He has posted nine points—three goals and six assists—across 26 appearances with the Penguins this season. His time with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the team's AHL affiliate, saw him score three points (one goal and two assists) over four games.
Originally selected fourth overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2016 NHL Draft, Puljujärvi has had extensive experience across different teams but has struggled to find consistency. After undergoing double hip surgery last June, he made his return to the ice only last January, highlighting the setbacks he has faced since regaining his NHL career.
The Penguins had hoped Puljujärvi would bolster their forward group. Despite various opportunities and high expectations, the relationship deteriorated significantly. Puljujärvi was frequently sent down to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for gameplay opportunities, with limited success at the NHL level, having averaged less than half a point per game.
According to Sportsnet, his potential has diminished substantially over the past two seasons. After returning to the NHL for the 2020-21 season, he has three goals and four assists from 22 NHL games with Pittsburgh last year and registered just nine points this season. His overall career statistics show 57 goals and 70 assists for 127 points across 382 games played, with his best performance being the 36 points he gathered during the Oilers' 2021-22 season.
Now, with the waiver process underway, Puljujärvi has 24 hours to be claimed by another team before officially becoming an unrestricted free agent. While interest from potential suitors remains uncertain, Puljujärvi's relatively low-risk contract, with $800,000 remaining until the end of the season, may attract teams willing to take a chance on his past potential.
His home club, Kärpät, based out of Oulu, Finland, may be where he looks to return if no offers from NHL teams arise. Kärpät is currently struggling this season and sits eleventh out of sixteen teams competing for the Finnish Liiga title. Puljujärvi has had notable success during his previous stints overseas, managing 113 points across 153 regular-season and playoff games prior to his challenges in the NHL.
Returning to Europe would also open the door for him to potentially represent Finland at the impending IIHF World Championship, echoing his contributions during the previous year’s tournament, where he scored five points over eight appearances.
The Penguins, meanwhile, currently find themselves outside playoff contention, trailing behind the Detroit Red Wings for the final wildcard spot. This recent move is indicative of the organization’s proactive approach to reshaping their roster as they aim for postseason success after struggling to qualify for the playoffs over the last two years.