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New York Rangers: Pros and cons for making a move for Puljujarvi

By Andrew Steele-Davis

EDMONTON, AB - DECEMBER 22: Jesse Puljujarvi #98 of the Edmonton Oilers skates during the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on December 22, 2018 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB - DECEMBER 22: Jesse Puljujarvi #98 of the Edmonton Oilers skates during the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on December 22, 2018 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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EDMONTON, AB – JANUARY 19: Calgary Flames Goalie David Rittich (33) shoots the puck out of the zone as Edmonton Oilers Right Wing Jesse Puljujarvi (98) reaches for it in the third period during the Edmonton Oilers game versus the Calgary Flames on January 19, 2019 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. (Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB – JANUARY 19: Calgary Flames Goalie David Rittich (33) shoots the puck out of the zone as Edmonton Oilers Right Wing Jesse Puljujarvi (98) reaches for it in the third period during the Edmonton Oilers game versus the Calgary Flames on January 19, 2019 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. (Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Cons to trading for Puljujarvi

First and foremost, there are question marks hovering over Jesse Puljujarvi’s ability to flourish in North America.

The talent and the skillset is clearly there but there appears to be a mental block in play at the moment, and whether that is just down to being unhappy with the Edmonton Oilers remains to be seen.

What we do know is that Puljujarvi was given an opportunity to play with some elite talent with the Oilers, having played 413 minutes on a line with Connor McDavid and 288 minutes with Leon Draisaitl.

Even the chance to play with one of, if not the best player in the NHL today, failed to spark Puljujarvi into life with the Oilers and that should be treated as a concern going forward.

Puljujarvi tallied nine points (four goals, five assists) in 46 games with the Oilers in 2018-19 and four points (two goals, two assists) in four games for the Bakersfield Condors in the AHL, before undergoing season-ending hip surgery in February.

The relationship between franchise and player had seemingly completely disintegrated by that point, so you could put Puljujarvi’s struggles down to that, but there is reason to be concerned when it comes to predicting the forward’s future in the NHL.

His state of mind when it comes to wanting to succeed in the NHL is the biggest worry, although that could just boil down to the fact that he was unhappy in Edmonton.

Any trade for the young talent would still be a significant risk, though.

Then you have the added caveat that the New York Rangers would have to sign Puljujarvi to a new contract if they were to trade for the player, although they could get him at a discount given his unproven track record in the NHL.

Still, the Blueshirts are hardly flush with cap space and they would have to move one or two bodies as part of any deal with the Edmonton Oilers, which leads us nicely to…

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