Former Oilers 4th overall pick Jesse Puljujarvi is without a contract and has requested a trade.
The Oilers botched his development, burning through his ELC, getting him into just 139 out of a possible 236 games.
Puljujarvi has not only failed when playing in the NHL, but his AHL numbers are not even at a point per game - something you'd expect out a of a highly regarded top prospect.
Last season in 46 NHL games, Puljujarvi put up a terrible .8 P/60 (well below 4th line production) and a brutal 46% CF.
The numbers are bad, but everyone knows that he has talent.
It certainly doesn't help when for three years, your most common linemate is Milan Lucic.
One thing that does bode well in Puljujarvi's favor is that he has played about 25% of his total career with Connor McDavid and posted a solid 55% CF.
Of course anyone is going to get a spike in production playing with the big dawg, but interestingly, McDavid without Puljujarvi is just 50% over the last three seasons.
It's weird right? If you play talented players with other talented players they do badly.
So often NHL teams get into this "prove it" mentality with their players where they stick them in untenable situations and act surprised with the self fulfilling prophecy fulfills itself.
Any sensible organization would apologize to Puljujarvi, promise him top line minutes to reestablish himself, and reap the guaranteed payoff later. (Now, word is the Oilers have tried to mend fences, but I doubt he'd still want a trade if they guaranteed him McDavid minutes).
It's either that or give away a fourth overall pick.
Because who is going to pay full price for a player who scored at a 4th line rate and posted bad possession numbers?
The Oilers can't really win a trade like this, so they should be looking at pacifying him and getting something of value back later if it doesn't work out.
They know he'll thrive with McDavid, they know that they can't get anything for him right now, so it seems like a no-brainer.
Unfortunately that means the Oilers are nearly certain to sell him for pennies on the dollar. Enter the Coyotes.
They should lowball the Oilers and see what happens.
Maybe a decent, fairly established player, someone like Vinnie Hinostroza would be a good fit in Edmonton? He's a very good player, but he doesn't have the upside of Puljujarvi.
Anyways, no point really in spit-balling names, but I do think the Coyotes should be pursuing every high-reward option out there.
Stats from naturlstattrick.com, capfriendly.com and hockeydb.com