3 reasons the Buffalo Sabres should trade for Jesse Puljujarvi
If there is one player the Buffalo Sabres would do well to trade for before the offseason ends, it would be Jesse Puljujarvi.
While I am no fan of trades or even trading away a skater for another, Jesse Puljujarvi is one exception in 2022. And the Buffalo Sabres would do well to at least make an offer for the physical winger who could provide an immediate upgrade on the third line.
So what is it that makes me embrace the idea of a Puljujarvi trade much more than one for the likes of Patrick Kane or Matthew Tkachuk when the latter was available? There are three major factors in play here, which I will outline below.
But first, let’s explain the scenario. Per Copper N Blue, Puljujarvi’s arbitration hearing will take place on July 29th, and it’s highly likely the Oilers could end up trading him before the hearing if they get the right offer. They could also trade him after the award, which Copper N Blue projects to be in the range of $3.25 to $3.5 million.
This number is most definitely in the Sabres range. And since Puljujarvi is a proven player, he is worth the pay. Now, why Puljujarvi? Why him, and not a big name like Patrick Kane? Keep reading for more.
Three reasons it would make sense for the Buffalo Sabres to trade for Jesse Puljujarvi: Reason #1 – Physicality
What’s interesting about Puljujarvi is that he’s not a completely physical specimen on the ice. But despite this, his 182 hits over the past two seasons (120 games) shows us that the 6’4 forward does display physicality to his game.
But it goes beyond his willingness to hit. Puljujarvi, who finished 27th in voting for the Selke Trophy in 2021-22 is one of the best in the NHL at winning battles for the puck, recovering them while in the offensive zone, and he was 24th last season in rebounds. The latter of which could easily explain his career high in assists (22) last season. He is also good on the forecheck.
Overall, you won’t see Puljujarvi bully opponents with his size. But he will use it to his advantage when battling for the puck. I see him as a bigger, stronger version of Rasmus Asplund. One that is also more effective in the scoring department.
All of the above still doesn’t fully explain why the Buffalo Sabres should try for Puljujarvi because why not just use Asplund? Or what about an up-and-comer like J.J. Peterka? The next section sheds light on this.
Expiring contracts
In this case, the Buffalo Sabres could be granted permission from the Edmonton Oilers to negotiate a long-term deal with Puljujarvi. For this to happen, the winger would need to state his interest in coming to Buffalo before the Oilers give the Sabres permission to begin talks. You would see a trade in this scenario, with Puljujarvi signing a long-term deal with the Sabres.
This would solve one of a few issues regarding expiring contracts at the end of the 2022-23 season. Kyle Okposo, Zemgus Girgensons, and Rasmus Asplund are three of a few players who will see their contracts expire. Okposo is a fan favorite, but would the Sabres be willing to bring him back? Keep in mind that he will be 35 when the regular season ends.
Unless he has a career season, Girgensons isn’t coming back in 2023-24. He isn’t much more than the type of player who will give you between 10 and 15 minutes per game given the youth and talent on the Sabres roster. And since Puljujarvi’s traits mirror both those of Girgensons and Asplund, bringing him in via trade would be a logical move.
He is a young and productive player. And while his stats won’t wow you, he has developed into a solid defensive forward who may be a solid upgrade over Asplund and he is a definite upgrade over Girgensons.
Another asset to the Youth Movement
NHL.com labeled the Buffalo Sabres as having a “Youth Movement.” And too right, they are. Puljujarvi just turned 24 on May 7th and he has a lot of hockey remaining. Not only is he another asset, but his contract will neither break the bank this season, nor would it get in the way of signing cornerstones like Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin, to name a couple of them, to extensions.
Puljujarvi’s game also isn’t completely developed. Yes, it sounds counterintuitive to trade for a player who hasn’t fully blossomed. But again, youth movement. And this time last season, Tage Thompson’s game was not fully developed. This season, Peyton Krebs, Dylan Cozens, and most definitely Jack Quinn and J.J. Peterka all need to further develop their game.
So does Owen Power, Jacob Bryson, and Casey Fitzgerald if he’s on the roster. Even Rasmus Dahlin needs to cut down on the turnovers. What I’m getting at is, Puljujarvi would be growing with a set of new Sabres teammates here. So what does his game look like?
While he is tremendous at driving the play, especially on the right side, but he lacks poise. He doesn’t follow through with the exact plays that he drives toward the offensive zone, and he is ticky-tacky with setting up scoring opportunities.
Related Story. Comparing the Eichel trade to Florida’s Tkachuk trade. light
Overall, trading for an asset like Puljujarvi isn’t going to alter the franchise. Instead, trading for him would simply add another building block, an unfinished one, who can grow with the already young Sabres. And best yet, he won’t cost a ransom as someone like Kane or Tkachuk would have to bring in.
Article Source: Making sense of frustrating ‘play drivers’ and Jesse Puljujarvi’s value by Justin Bourne