Over the weekend, we were informed by Hockey Night in Canada insider Elliotte Friedman that Jesse Puljujarvi’s agent, Markus Lehto, has reiterated that Puljujarvi would still like a fresh start with another organization.
This is nothing new, there’s been no indication from the former 4th overall pick’s camp that anything has changed on that front. That being said, Ken Holland will be in Finland this weekend to watch Puljujarvi play (amongst others) in the Karjala Cup and I’m lead to believe that there will be a meeting to gauge where things are at this point in time. If anybody could get Jesse to change his mind, I’d put my money on Ken Holland over almost everybody.
Now, in the event that Holland is unsuccessful in his attempts to recruit Pulju and a trade is the only way to move forward, there are a plethora of teams interested. The Flames, Hurricanes, Lightning, Senators, Canadiens, Bruins, Penguins and now the Rangers have all been in contact with the Oilers in the past re: Puljujarvi.
“He’s talked extensively with teams going back to this summer, I believe the New York Rangers are a team that continues to show persistent interest in Jesse Puljujarvi.” Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston said during Hockey Night in Canada.
I’ve said this before, but I feel like it’s worth repeating. Should the December 1st deadline pass with Pulju having yet to sign a contract with an NHL club, I can foresee him spending the year with Karpat and then being moved at the draft when the salary cap is of no concern. Then the Oilers will have much more financial flexibility in any trade and they could leverage Puljujarvi’s rights a bit better, right?
That being in mind, the Rangers have some really nice young players that I would have interest in.
- Pavel Buchnevich (RW) – 21 goals in 64 games last season. Eight points in eleven games this yr. He’s got great size and speed but he’s had some extended stints on the IR since joining the Rangers full-time.
- Vitali Kravtsov (LW/RW) – Not quite ready for NA hockey, he’s gone back to the KHL for another year. It sounds like he was having a tough time going through the transition from Russian hockey and lifestyle to North American. Like Puljujarvi, the potential is mouth-watering with the toolbox this kid brings to the rink.
- Filip Chytil (C) – Recently called up from Hartford (9pts/9gp), this young lad has two goals in two games. Of all the young players, I think Chytil would have the most appeal to the Oilers. He’s got a tireless work ethic, a willingness to sacrifice the body to make a play, and silky smooth hands. The ceiling on this player is second-line center but today, he would be a perfect third-line center for the Oilers. Personally, I like this player quite a bit compared to the others listed here.
- Lias Andersson (C) – Appears to be stuck in a rut with only one point in eleven games this season. Last year he had six points in 42 games while averaging a shade over ten minutes a night. Not sure what the Rangers are doing with him. Surely he’d be better served playing more minutes in a top-line role for their AHL affiliate at this stage in his career, no? Like Chytil, he’s a tenacious worker. He plays a more cerebral game without the puck, and with it, he’s strong, tough to knock down, and has the hands to make a sweet saucer pass cross-ice or rip a shot top cheddar.
Honestly though, do you think that the Rangers would part ways with any of the four players above? I’m one of Puljujarvi’s biggest backers, but I can’t see it. Not at this point in time at least. With Mika Zibanejad out of the lineup, this team is short on centers, so that removes Chytil and Andersson from the equation. Also, they’re really high on Kravstov (as they should be) and unless Edmonton is shipping over some salary, they can’t afford to bring in Buchnevich.
Brendan Lemieux has been a player that’s been in near-every Puljujarvi to the Rangers rumor this year but with the way that the Finn is performing in Finland, my feeling is that it’d be prudent for Ken Holland to explore upgrading a potential return for Karpat’s 21-year-old superstar. The son of Claude has only two points in his ten games so far and if Coach Tippett wants some more offense injected into his lineup, this sort of player isn’t going to cut it.
Wouldn’t it be something of the Rangers managed to acquire Puljujarvi and then draft highly-touted Finnish center Anton Lundell in the upcoming draft? Combine those two with Kaapo Kakko and you’ve got one helluva future top-line!
Who do you think the Oilers would target from the Rangers in a Pulju trade? Let us know in the comments below!
