The Hurricanes finally made a move on February 28, 2023, when they acquired forward Jesse Puljujarvi from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for forward Patrik Puistola. The trade comes as a surprise to many fans and analysts, as both players have shown promise in their respective careers.
Jesse Puljujarvi was drafted fourth overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. The Finnish forward struggled to find his footing in his first few seasons with the Oilers, but he has shown significant improvement in the 2022-23 season. Puljujarvi has tallied 16 goals and 19 assists for 35 points in 57 games, ranking fourth on the team in scoring.
Patrik Puistola, on the other hand, was drafted by the Hurricanes in the second round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The Finnish forward has yet to make his NHL debut but has been playing well in the AHL. In 43 games with the Charlotte Checkers, Puistola has scored 11 goals and 17 assists for 28 points.
The trade is a win-win for both teams, as the Hurricanes acquire a proven NHL player in Puljujarvi while the Oilers receive a promising prospect in Puistola. Puljujarvi’s size, speed, and skill make him an asset to any team, and he will likely fit well in the Hurricanes’ system. Puistola, on the other hand, has the potential to be a top-six forward in the NHL and will benefit from playing with a talented group of players in Edmonton.
This trade is also significant for the Hurricanes, as they are currently in a tight playoff race in the Eastern Conference. The addition of Puljujarvi gives them another scoring threat and could help them make a push for the postseason.
Overall, the trade between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Edmonton Oilers is a bold move by both teams. It will be interesting to see how Puljujarvi and Puistola fare with their new teams and how this trade affects the playoff race in the Eastern Conference.
The Metro division is stacked with talent and competition, which adds even more pressure for the Hurricanes to make a move. With the deadline fast approaching, fans are getting restless watching player after player get traded to other teams.