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Ottawa Senators: Low-risk high-reward trade options

By Daniel Bruce

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 2: Head Coach D.J. Smith of the Ottawa Senators looks on from the bench during an NHL game against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at the Scotiabank Arena on October 2, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 2: Head Coach D.J. Smith of the Ottawa Senators looks on from the bench during an NHL game against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at the Scotiabank Arena on October 2, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Jesse Puljujarvi

Edmonton apparently “stole” Puljujarvi at fourth overall in the 2016 NHL Draft, when the Columbus Blue Jackets selected Pierre-Luc Dubois instead of Puljujarvi who was ranked third by many draft institutions. With 28 points in 50 games in the Liiga in Finland, including 9 points in 10 games in the playoffs, he looked like a sure-fire NHL prospect.

Puljujarvi struggled in his first three years in North America playing a total of 139 games only producing 17 goals and 37 points, and also not standing out in the AHL. It just looked like a lost cause with Puljujarvi in Edmonton especially in 2019, Puljujarvi only put up 9 points in 49 games with Edmonton and wasn’t offering much to the team. Playing occasionally with McDavid and Draisaitl, Puljujarvi just couldn’t stick to a top 6 role.

Puljujarvi moved to the Liiga for the 2019-2020 season after holding out on the Oilers after demanding a trade and not getting granted that wish. He produced at a high pace in Karpat with 24 goals and 53 points in just 56 games and an outstanding plus 30 rating. Producing this well in Finland has for sure raised some eyebrows about the potential Puljujarvi still holds.

From Ottawa’s perspective, they shouldn’t consider trading a first for Puljujarvi, that would be a bit steep for a 22-year-old yet to prove he can play in the NHL. Ottawa should show no hesitation however in thinking about dealing one of their four second-rounders to take a chance on Puljujarvi. Puljujarvi would have more potential than any player Ottawa would draft in the second round. Ottawa should exploit the value in their draft capital by taking a chance on a once highly touted prospect who still has years to grow.

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