Oilers sign Puljujarvi to 1-year deal worth $3M
The Edmonton Oilers avoided arbitration with restricted free-agent forward Jesse Puljujarvi, signing him to a one-year deal worth $3 million on Tuesday.
Puljujarvi's salary arbitration hearing was set for July 29.
The 24-year-old's standing in Edmonton was unclear after the team was swept in the Western Conference Final by the Colorado Avalanche. At the time, general manager Ken Holland was noncommittal on whether Puljujarvi was in the Oilers' long-term plans.
"The second half of the year, it was a real struggle. ... I think he lost his confidence," Holland said in June. "Then when he lost his confidence, he obviously was in the top six, and then he worked his way down to the bottom six. ... I've gotta sort out Jesse."
Puljujarvi recorded 14 goals and 22 assists for a career-high 36 points in 65 games in 2021-22, but he faded in the playoffs and only put up three points in 16 contests.
The Oilers controlled 58.6% of the shot attempts and 59.8% of the expected goals with Puljujarvi on the ice at five-on-five during the regular season, according to Natural Stat Trick.
He'll once again be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights once this deal expires, per CapFriendly. Edmonton still has three restricted free agents remaining in Kailer Yamamoto, Ryan McLeod, and Tyler Benson.
Selected by the Oilers fourth overall in 2016, Puljujarvi has 98 points in 259 career contests.