After a few years of never settling into a new NHL team, Jesse Puljujarvi’s pro career in North America may be coming to an end after today’s waivers news.

The Pittsburgh Penguins placed the former Oiler on waivers yesterday, an expected decision considering Puljujarvi played one game in December.

Now today, news broke that Puljujarvi has cleared waivers, and he will report to the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins.

 

If Puljujarvi can’t crack a lower tier Penguins team this season after they signed him to a two-year contract with the intention of rehabbing him through hip surgery, it’s clear that they don’t think he’s good enough to be an NHLer anymore.

As a free agent at the end of the season, it’s hard to imagine another team giving him a chance. At this point, a return to pro hockey in Europe may be in the cards for Puljujarvi.

Jesse Puljujarvi’s pro career in NHL may be in jeopardy after Waivers News

It’s an extremely disappointing situation for Puljujarvi, who’s barely been given the opportunity to show his worth in the Penguins lineup despite some early success.

Puljujarvi actually voiced some frustrations with Mike Sullivan over the constant scratches, saying it was affecting his ability to rehab his hips.

Penguins coach Sullivan explained today that waiving Puljujarvi was about being fair to him and allowing him an opportunity elsewhere – either on another team, or the AHL. Penguins reporters believed that another team may claim him.

Going unclaimed with only $800K salary, it’s not a good sign for what other NHL teams think of Puljujarvi. Hopefully he’s able to rebuild his confidence a bit in the AHL, and find success with a new contract next year.

More details and analysis coming.