Just in, the Pittsburgh Penguins have officially inked Jesse Puljujarvi to an NHL contract, as confirmed in their recent announcement. According to the press release, Puljujarvi secured a two-year, two-way contract with a value of $800K.
Puljujarvi initially joined the Penguins on an AHL tryout contract earlier in the season, marking his return from a double hip surgery. Overcoming a slow start, he's found his groove in the AHL, boasting an impressive 4 goals and 9 points in 13 games.
Having completed what could be deemed a successful stint with the Penguins' AHL affiliate, Puljujarvi is anticipated to receive the call-up for his official return to the NHL after a prolonged absence. The expectation is that he'll likely slot into the third or fourth line for the Penguins, potentially getting some penalty-killing opportunities.
Originally chosen fourth overall by the Oilers in the 2016 draft, Puljujarvi hasn't quite matched the offensive expectations tied to his high draft position. However, his play-driving abilities are highly valued in analytics. In Edmonton, he became a figure of both fan admiration and a scapegoat for the team's struggles.
Witnessing Puljujarvi make a comeback from a challenging injury and earn his spot back in the NHL, this time with another competitive team, is certainly a positive development.
