CRANBERRY, Pa. — The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed Jesse Puljujarvi to a two-year, $1.6 million contract with an average annual value of $800,000. The 25-year-old forward, who joined the Penguins on a professional tryout in December, has had a strong performance with nine points in 13 games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton team in the American Hockey League this season, with four goals and five assists.
Puljujarvi, who underwent bilateral hip surgery in the offseason, has expressed his readiness to make his debut for Pittsburgh. Coach Mike Sullivan is considering including him in the game against the Winnipeg Jets, marking his return to the NHL after his surgical procedure.
In practice on Sunday, Puljujarvi skated at right wing on the third line alongside center Lars Eller and left wing Rickard Rakell. He expressed his excitement about being part of the team and shared his relief at being able to play pain-free after a long rehabilitation journey.
Sullivan emphasized that Puljujarvi’s time in the AHL was crucial in assessing his physical condition post-surgery. He noted the progress Puljujarvi made with every game he played, ultimately leading to the decision to offer him a contract.
Last season, Puljujarvi recorded 16 points in 75 regular-season games with the Edmonton Oilers and the Carolina Hurricanes. He was acquired by the Hurricanes in a trade with Edmonton and contributed two assists in 17 games, along with one assist in seven Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Selected as the No. 4 pick in the 2016 NHL Draft by the Oilers, Puljujarvi has a total of 114 points in 334 regular-season games and six points in 27 postseason games.
Apart from Puljujarvi, the Penguins may also have forward Reilly Smith and defenseman John Ludvig in the lineup for their upcoming game against the Winnipeg Jets. Smith, who has been sidelined due to an upper-body injury since January, expressed his long-term outlook on the season, emphasizing taking it one game at a time. Similarly, Ludvig has not played since December 31 due to an upper-body injury and could make his return to the ice.