Arizona Coyotes: Could they get Jesse Puljujarvi from the Oilers?
By James Reeve
The Edmonton Oilers appear to be open for business, so the Arizona Coyotes should try to put together a package that could land them Jesse Puljujarvi.
Much has been made of general manager Peter Chiarelli’s dealings in recent weeks and it could be the perfect time for the Arizona Coyotes to pick up the phone.
The Coyotes find themselves within touching distance of the playoff wildcard spots and could be buyers at the trade deadline if the team looks to be legitimate contenders for making the post-season.
More from Coyotes News
- How the Arizona Coyotes could line-up with Logan Cooley signed
- Report: Logan Cooley could be closer to signing Arizona Coyotes ELC
- Arizona Coyotes sign Matias Maccelli to three-year deal
- Ivan Prosvetov signs one-year deal with Arizona Coyotes
- Arizona Coyotes cut Galchenyuk after reported police incident
One player that is constantly rumoured to be available in a potential trade scenario is Finnish winger Jesse Puljujarvi.
The first round (fourth overall) selection by the Oilers in the 2016 entry draft has had a difficult start to his NHL career, finding himself bouncing up-and-down between the NHL and AHL and being a healthy scratch at times.
In 131 regular season appearances for the Oilers, Puljujarvi has 17 goals and 37 total points – averaging just 12:34 on the ice across his early career.
The 6-foot-4, 212lbs right-handed winger’s development has clearly not gone to plan, with the Finn having been initially viewed as the third-best prospect heading into the draft, behind Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine.
The Coyotes are trending upwards, with a nice corps of young players that, when healthy, could put the team squarely in the playoff picture on a regular basis.
The team also has an abundance of defencemen and veteran forwards that the Oilers could consider as trade options to help them push towards the playoffs – with Richard Panik coming to mind when trades are considered.
The Oilers have stated a number of times that they hope to improve their defensive core while also needing some scoring help.
A deal could become a reality if the Arizona Coyotes view a player such as Puljujarvi, who is a restricted free agent this off-season and is still just 20 years old, as someone that could help improve the team in the immediate and long-run.
Adding a talented young winger could go a long way to improving the Coyotes, who will be a surprise package if they make the post-season in 2019, with the future certainly more likely to be the expected time for the team to become a legitimate force in the Western Conference.
With Chiarelli seemingly making deals that make no sense, a deal for Puljujarvi might not be as farfetched as initially thought.
Next. Do the Arizona Coyotes dare to dream of playoffs?. dark
What do you think Coyotes fans? Should the team take a punt on trading for Puljujarvi? What would you part with to get the talented Finnish winger? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!