Should the Carolina Hurricanes Trade for Jesse Puljujarvi?

Jesse Puljujarvi is still a restricted free agent, as the Edmonton Oilers speculate trading him. Should the Carolina Hurricanes trade for him, or should they pass on him?

Jesse Puljujarvi was drafted fourth overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers. At 21 years of age, his entry-level contract has expired and the Oilers didn’t receive expected performances from him. Should the Carolina Hurricanes trade for him, or should they pass? Read on to find out.

All three of his seasons have been quite mediocre. In his rookie season, he only put up 8 points in 28 games. In the 2017-18 season, he put up a third-line satisfactory 20 points in 65 games. Last season, he only had 9 points in 46 games and had a disappointing -14 plus/minus stat.

In his tenure with the Oilers thus far, he hasn’t been able to experience playoff hockey. A change of environment for young players has gone well before; for instance, the Chicago Blackhawks with Dylan Strome, or the New Jersey Devils with Taylor Hall, which Edmonton still regrets.

In the 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship, Team Finland won gold, which featured the dominant top-line of Patrik Laine, Sebastian Aho, and Jesse Puljujarvi. Puljujarvi registered an impressive 17 points in 7 games, the most in the entire tournament, with Aho and Laine right behind him.

The potential can definitely be seen; he played with and against NHL-caliber players like Auston Matthews and Mikko Rantanen in the tournament. With the announcement of a break from the National Hockey League by Justin Williams, Puljujarvi could be seen as a potential replacement as he’s a right-handed forward.

The case for trading for Puljujarvi could be a steal, but it seems that he just plays well when he plays in his home country of Finland, especially in the World Juniors. A chance could be taken on him, but if the idea is to play him on a line with Sebastian Aho, that’s a risk that should not be taken. Puljujarvi will have to earn his way to play on the first line, which means he will have to adapt to other forwards first.

With Saku Maenalanen still a restricted free agent, either he could be in a package for Puljujarvi, or the Hurricanes decide to stay safe with re-signing Maenalanen. There is already currently competition for every spot on the roster. Even with Maenalanen or Puljujarvi, the Carolina Hurricanes will have to make a tough choice of placing a player who could crack most NHL rosters on waivers.

Puljujarvi is on the decline, and most rumors show a high asking price from the Edmonton Oilers; a 2nd or 3rd round pick and a prospect is the return they are hoping for. If the Carolina Hurricanes decide to trade for Puljujarvi, they’ll be losing picks and prospects alongside having to negotiate with his agent on a new contract, which may even be more difficult than the trade itself.

All things considered, the Carolina Hurricanes could take a risk on the young forward, especially since Justin Williams is taking a break, but it may come at a cost too high to be considered wise for the time being. Only time will tell if Puljujarvi develops into the player that he was touted to be, but that remains to be seen. Maybe some time playing in Finland will help him rebuild himself and his trade value.

Questions for Cardiac Cane Readers: Is Jesse Puljujarvi worth the risks? If the Hurricanes acquired him, will be a new gem or a bust?