Former top-5 pick may not be qualified and become a UFA; Is he a fit in Toronto?
Mark Spector reported late last night that Jesse Puljujarvi has likely played his last game as an Edmonton Oiler. Given the cap constraints of the Oilers and the fact that Puljujarvi and the Oilers have had a strenuous relationship since he was drafted, it doesn't come as much of a surprise.
As an RFA with arbitration rights, it would appear the Oilers will not be sending him a qualifying offer making him an unrestricted free agent. Puljujarvi Is coming off of a 2-year deal that saw him earn just $1.175M per season. Playing in 65 games this past season he put up a respectable 14 goals and 36 points.
At 6'4 and just over 200 pounds, Puljujarvi is the type of forward that would fit well on the Leafs. He is physical, but can also provide some secondary scoring. He could slot in on the Leafs' second line next to John Tavares and William Nylander and provide a vastly different player in the Leafs' top 6.
Given that he earned a near minimal salary and that he doesn't have the production to quantify a large raise, he could be the perfect low-risk, high-reward reclamation project that Dubas is surely looking for to fill out the Leafs' lineup for next season.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 30 | 214 ANSWERS Former top-5 pick may not be qualified and become a UFA; Is he a fit in Toronto? Should the Leafs go after Puljujarvi this summer? | ||
| Yes | 85 | 39.7 % |
| No | 129 | 60.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
