Former NHL 4th Overall Pick's Contract Being Terminated

Another day, another roster move as an NHL GM who optimizes his team ahead of the trade deadline.

The latest casualty? Former 4th overall pick in the 2016 Draft, Jesse Puljujarvi has failed to secure a full-time job in the league. Since he arrived in Edmonton during the 2016-2017 season he's struggled to maintain a consistent NHL job.

Puljujarvi frequently bounced between the Edmonton Oilers, and their AHL affiliate the Bakersfield Condors, a pattern that has largely defined his career.

He has once again found himself, without an NHL contract or team to suit up for, as GM Kyle Dubas has placed him on unconditional waivers to terminate his contract.

If Puljujarvi clears waivers he'll be a free-agent and can once again try to find a new home in the league.

But this could be the end for Puljujarvi who has been given a chance in Carolina, and now Pittsburgh.

He's only played 26 games for the Penguins this season, and wasn't capable of producing as the team had expected. He'd only score 9 points ( 3 G, 6 A), and wouldn't find success in Wilkes-Barre Scranton either, scoring 3 points in 4 games.

This is after he put in the work to earn an NHL contract after signing a PTO with the WBS Penguins.

Now exiting his third NHL organization, could he find a career elsewhere in the league?

It's doubtful, as Puljujarvi has never been the kind of winger we saw in international play.

He benefited from playing on the same line on Team Finland with Patrik Laine. Yet he's never found the same success in the NHL as his fellow compatriot.

Puljujarvi's $800K contract as of today will be null and void, should he not find anyone to claim him as a depth option in the AHL.

Could he head back to Finland and suit up for Karpat once more, as he's done in 2021?