Jesse Puljujarvi Joins the Penguins As a Free Agent Tryout

The Penguins brought in forward Jesse Puljujarvi on a free agent tryout as they look to do their best to continue to improve this team, who’s gone 3-6-3 since their five-game winning streak in November.

After undergoing all of his testing on Saturday in Pittsburgh, Puljujarvi spoke with Mike Sullivan ahead of Sunday’s practice. The Penguins Head Coach told the 25-year-old forward that there is an opportunity to possibly establish himself with a roster spot in Pittsburgh, after being drafted fourth overall by Edmonton in 2016 and playing parts of six seasons with the Oilers and Hurricanes.

“I think Jesse's a guy that has played in the league, that has had some success, and potentially could be a guy that could help us in some capacity,” Sullivan said. “So, we're going to try to immerse him right into the environment and see where it takes us.”

Puljujarvi said he got a “good sweat” in the session, rotating in with Drew O’Connor alongside Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel.

“He’s just a big guy that can skate, and strong on pucks and in front of the net,” the captain said. “That’s what I remember playing against him, and that’s what I saw today.”

Puljujarvi’s size – 6-foot-4 and 201 pounds – is also what stood out to Sullivan

“I think his size and his range and his reach and all of those things, my initial impression is that’s the first thing that jumps out at you,” Sullivan said. “He's an imposing presence with his size, and I think that could be something that could help us.”

It feels particularly good for Puljujarvi to be back in such an environment after undergoing bilateral hip surgery in the 2023 offseason. It’s a procedure that requires an especially intensive rehab process, which meant Puljujarvi didn’t have a contract entering this year.

Puljujarvi said he’s been doing a lot of treatments and fighting every day to get himself back into the best possible position to play for an NHL team.

“Been doing rehab long time now,” he said. “It’s been a long way, but that’s what it is right now. Have been doing rehabbing, have been working really hard to get back here, and happy now. Happy to be here and get the opportunity.”

Puljujarvi feels like he still needs some more improvement to get to 100%, but when his body is feeling good, he can bring a lot of things. “Like, help the guys forechecking, I think I can make good plays, and be hard in the blue paint,” he said.

In 334 career games, Puljujarvi has recorded 51 goals, 63 assists and 114 points. His best season came in 2021-22 with Edmonton, when he set career highs in goals (15), assists (22) and points (36) in 65 games.

His career has certainly featured some ups and downs, particularly in the big-picture trajectory, going from a blue-chip prospect to a player dealing with a difficult injury that’s not easy to come back from.

That’s only fueled more of a fire under Puljujarvi, who said his motivation level is “really, really high.”

“Coming back here, show everyone I’m a good player for this league, I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

For the duration of his tryout, Puljujarvi is permitted to partake in all team activities aside from participating in games, with the Penguins covering all of his expenses for up to 10 days.

“Just try to communicate and try to get on the same page as best as possible,” Crosby said. “It's never easy just jumping in like that. But the more comfortable a guy can feel and just be able to play his game, I think the better it is. So, that’s what we’ll try to do.”