Pittsburgh Penguins should pursue a Jesse Puljujarvi trade

With a depleting group of forwards, the Pittsburgh Penguins should consider making a move for Jesse Puljujarvi.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are without four of their top nine forwards to begin the season. They have already used emergency recalls just to have the proper amount of forwards on the roster. After barely playing Adam Johnson and Andrew Agozzino on Thursday night, Pittsburgh is in need of forward help.

With the Penguins accomplishing their desire to get younger this past off-season, they might as well target a 2016 first-round pick who is available via trade. 21-year-old and Sweden native Jesse Puljujarvi and the Edmonton Oilers are in the midst of a holdout.

More from Puck Prose

• Detroit Red Wings 2023 Rookie Camp Has Plenty of Ups and Downs
• This Columbus Blue Jackets rookie doesn’t want to be forgotten
• 2 trades the Boston Bruins must make to secure the Stanley Cup
• 3 reasons the Avalanche won’t win the Stanley Cup in 2024
• This is a big year for Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings

Puljujarvi is currently without an NHL contract, as he requested a trade back in the summer and is currently playing in the Finnish League. Puljujarvi was drafted 4th overall by the Oilers in the 2016 draft and wants a fresh start.

Under Jim Rutherford, the Penguins have had a tendency to acquire former first-round draft picks. Consider the following.

• Phil Kessel
• Riley Sheahan
• Jack Johnson (sigh)
• Tanner Pearson
• Nick Bjugstad
• Jared McCann
• Erik Gudbranson
• Alex Galchenyuk
• Pierre-Oliver Joseph

To say that this is a trend would be an understatement. It has happened seven times (!!)  since July 1, 2018. It is very common with this regime.

There has been a lot of speculation over the last few weeks that if and when they are fully healthy, the Penguins will have to make a trade to become salary cap compliant. They are currently carrying nine defensemen. Whether it be Jack Johnson, Erik Gudbranson, or Bryan Rust, they will have options.

There is a valid argument to be made for Dominik Simon being the best right-winger on the Penguins roster. While I realize how valuable Simon’s skill set is, the Penguins need more high-end talent down the right side of the ice.

There were some rumblings back in the summer that the Oilers wanted Bryan Rust in return for Puljujarvi. Johnson and Rust would likely be an enticing package for Oilers GM Ken Holland. It is noteworthy that Holland and Rutherford have made trades in the past, and that Holland was interested in signing Johnson in the summer of 2018.

Gambling on Puljujarvi’s potential is a low-risk, high-reward proposition. Considering the lack of high-end talent in the Penguins’ farm system, this is a great time to buy low on a once highly-touted prospect.

As you will see in the clip below, Puljujarvi uses his size and reach very well. He has the playmaking ability and shot to help the Penguins second power-play unit. He has skated alongside Connor McDavid, so he can play with elite talent. Here is a look at Puljujarvi’s 17 career NHL goals.

As Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin age, the Penguins need to surround them with young, talented, and productive forwards. Doing so is vital to extending the Penguins’ contention window. While neither of the Penguins stars is as old, the San Jose Sharks have done a great job of doing this with Joe Thornton.

After all, Justin Schultz and John Marino have found homes in Pittsburgh after playing for the Oilers. Hopefully, Puljujarvi is next on that list. Thanks for reading!