Could a former Edmonton Oilers forward be on his way back into the NHL after a monster season in the Swiss league? Would the Oilers be willing to give him a look?
According to David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, one name to watch this week, and as NHL free agency opens, is former Edmonton Oilers forward Jesse Puljujarvi.
Pagnotta writes, "We’re a week away from the free agent doors swinging open. One player to look out for: Jesse Puljujarvi." He adds, "He had a monster season in the Swiss League. His hip issues are a thing of the past, I’m told, and there’s already lots interest from several teams eyeing a mid-six upgrade."
Could the Oilers be among them?
This is a different management team that has no real history with Puljujarvi. There's a new coaching crew that would be able to give him a fresh look and while many of the same players are here that saw Puljujarvi struggle, if accountability and effort are going to be the focus of training camp and the 2026-27 season, maybe Puljujarvi thrives under someone like Mike Babcock. Perhaps he needs that structure and no-nonsense leader to finally break through.
He scored 52 points in 52 games this past season playing for Geneve Servette. Prior to leaving the NHL, he spent time with both the Pittsburgh Penguins and Florida Panthers in 2024-25. He's shown flashes of a high ceiling in the NHL, but not been able to put it all together.
If he gets another shot in the NHL, this could be his last. He'll be extremely motivated and as a big body with skill, maybe he's a fit on a low-cost, relatively risk-free contract.
He was taken fourth overall by the Oilers in the 2016 draft and there may be a part of this organization that would love to see that selection finally pay off.
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