After undergoing his the second double hip surgery of his career, Jesse Puljujarvi has his sights set on an NHL return.

And according to TSN’s Chris Johnston, that could be as soon as November.

“The rehab process has been very encouraging for Jesse Puljujarvi, so well in fact that he may be ready to return to the NHL as soon as next month,” Johnston said on Thursday’s edition of Insider Trading. “And so when it was revealed he would need that double hip surgery in the offseason, he didn’t receive a qualifying offer from the Carolina Hurricanes and so he is an unrestricted free agent.

“He’s back in Finland now, he’s resumed skating, said to be feeling strong and he’s looking for a new deal, perhaps a low risk option, low cost option for a team to bring in during the season.”

Puljujarvi, 25, was drafted by the Oilers fourth overall in the 2016 draft, but struggled to live up to the standards of such an early selection. His first double hip surgery came when his 2018-19 season ended early so he could undergo the procedure.

The winger himself told Finnish outlet MTV Urheilu that he’s been skating in Oulu, Finland and that his recovery is going faster than expected. He said no contract offers have been brought forth, but his goal is to return to the NHL ice.

Puljujarvi was traded by the Oilers to the Carolina Hurricanes just before last season’s trade deadline in exchange for Patrik Puistola, a then-unsigned selection from the 2019 draft. The Oilers had until this summer to sign him to a contract but didn’t do so, allowing Puistola to hit free agency. Playing in the Finnish Elite League, the 22-year-old doesn’t have an NHL contract.

The Colorado Avalanche announced Friday the club has signed defenceman Devon Toews to a seven-year contract extension.

The 29-year-old’s new deal will pay him a $7.25-million per year, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported. Set to become a free agent next summer, Toews was in the final year of a deal paying him $4.1-million. While that deal was a value contract, his new one is just as much as he comes off a season that saw him score a career-high 57 points in 66 games.

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.