Reporter links former 4th overall pick to Capitals on a potential PTO

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Mike Armenti
September 6, 2023 (11:56)

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After a long, drawn-out stay in an unfavourable situation in Edmonton, former 4th overall pick Jesse Puljujarvi finally got his wish for a fresh start with the Carolina Hurricanes last season. However, in 17 games during the regular season with the Hurricanes, Puljujarvi only tallied a pair of assists and appeared in just 7 of their 11 games during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Since that time, Puljujarvi underwent double hip surgery in an attempt to sort out some lingering issues he had been dealing with. It's unclear, at this point, what Puljujarvi's options are for the 2023-24 season, but Sammi Silber of The Hockey News has suggested that he'd be an excellent addition in Washington and that the Capitals should bring him in on a PTO this fall.

Silber believes that signing Puljujarvi to a PTO would be a solid, low-risk move, with plenty of upside, given his age and the talent he could bring to the Capitals' lineup. Silber highlighted Puljujarvi's size and frame as assets, suggesting that he'd be a great add in Washington on the forecheck, specifically.

Obviously, there's no guarantee that Puljujarvi will be ready in time for the start of the season, so Silber has suggested that the Caps could bring him in and have him begin the season on LTIR if need be.

Finnish reporter Miikka Lahtinen shared a clip of Puljujarvi earlier this week, working hard on his skating following surgery. Here's what he had to say in his post:

"Puljujarvi is working incredibly hard on his hip surgery recovery and it is paying off! Less than 3 months after double hip surgery and he is already skating more freely than before!"

Puljujarvi hasn't really lived up to his pre-draft hype at the NHL level. He's already been declared a bust by many, but at just 25 years of age, perhaps there's still time for him to tap into some of that potential and still become a useful NHL player.

Source: Sammi Silber - The Hockey News