Edmonton Oilers re-sign Jesse Puljujarvi to one-year, $3-million contract

The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed forward Jesse Puljujarivi to a one-year, $3-million contract, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Tuesday.

The new contract will allow the Oilers and Puljujarvi to avoid arbitration which was set to be heard this Friday.

The value comes in roughly around what Puljujarvi was likely to get in an arbitration hearing, and allows for the Oilers to bring him back next season. It could also be what was needed to spark the trade market on Puljujarvi, with clubs around the league reportedly showing concern about what the arbitrator could rule for his salary. No matter which way things go, Puljujarvi is back under the Oilers control.

According to PuckPedia, Puljujarvi will be an RFA with arbitration rights next offseason and will be owed a $3-million qualifying offer. He will be one year away from unrestricted free agency.

The signing leaves the Oilers with roughly $3.4-million in cap space with RFA’s Ryan McLeod and Kailer Yamamoto left to sign. It’s also likely the Oilers look to bring in another depth forward or two, as well, so there’s likely more moves yet to come.

Puljujarvi had one of his best seasons in the NHL last year scoring 14 goals and 36 points in 65 games. While he had a strong start to the season with 10 goals and 23 points in the first 28 games of the season, his boxcars dropped into the second half. A lot of it had to do with the fact Puljujarvi fell ill with COVID-19 in December, then suffered a lower-body injury he returned early from.

According to hockeyviz.com, Puljujarvi provided even-strength offence at a 16 percent rate above league average, and defence at a seven percent rate above league average.

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