NHL Notebook: If Jesse Puljujarvi were to clear waivers his trade value could increase says TSN analyst and grading the Vladimir Tarasenko deal
By Zach Laing
1 year agoIf the Edmonton Oilers were to pass Jesse Puljujarvi through waivers, it could raise his value on the trade market, TSN’s Chris Johnston reported Thursday on Insider Trading.
The Finnish winger has been on the trade market on and off for years, but with the Oilers facing a crunch of not only their roster but their cap, all signs are pointing to him being on the way out.
The Oilers have opted to healthy scratch Puljujarvi on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings, but also on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. It’s been reported that the Oilers could have a trade in place for Puljujarvi, but it’s not yet known what that could look like. With Kailer Yamamoto eligible to come off the injured reserve Saturday, it appears a decision will need to be made sooner, rather than later.
For the Oilers, placing Puljujarvi on waivers could be an ideal outcome. Were he to clear, as Johnston noted, it could increase his trade value as other teams would be able to move him between their NHL and AHL clubs without worrying about losing him to another team.
Tarasenko dealt
Vladimir Tarasenko is on the move.
The Russian winger, who asked for a trade out of St. Louis two years ago, was traded Thursday to the New York Rangers for a package including forward Sammy Blais and conditional draft picks.
The full details: the Rangers acquire right winger Vladimir Tarasenko and defenseman Niko Mikkola from the Blues for a conditional 2023 first-round pick, a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick, prospect defenseman Hunter Skinner and left winger Sammy Blais.
Here’s how Daily Faceoff’s Matt Larkin graded the move:
RangersThe only thing holding back the Rangers’ trade grade is that there were higher-ceiling options out there. Timo Meier or Patrick Kane would’ve been exciting fits. They would’ve cost more, yes, but the Rangers had the assets to pull off almost any deal. That said, ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported during the trade’s aftermath that the Rangers hesitated on the asking price for Meier and had health questions with Kane. Tarasenko is a perfectly strong addition, and the Mikkola throw-in was a nice touch for GM Chris Drury.Grade: A-BluesThe player element to the trade is underwhelming from the Blues’ perspective. But keep in mind they lacked leverage with Tarasenko, who had requested a trade out of St. Louis two years ago and never rescinded the request. They still turned him into a first-rounder, albeit a low one. I wouldn’t do cartwheels in the streets if I was a Blues fan, but I wouldn’t call this deal disastrous. That said, when we factor in that Mikkola was also cashed out in the deal, the return feels mildly disappointing.Grade: C+
Tarasenko had been loosely linked to the Oilers in the past two years since his trade request became public, but an all-offence, no-defence top-six winger isn’t exactly what the team has needed. Mikkola, meanwhile, was a tough defenceman that I thought the Oilers could have an interest in.
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.
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