Holland on Puljujarvi
Bob Stauffer: It is possible that Edmonton Oilers forward Jesse Puljujarvi is at the Oilers training camp in September. The situation remains fluid and the Oilers can’t just trade Puljujarvi for the sake of trading him.
David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: Oilers GM Ken Holland when asked if he’d be okay with keeping Puljujarvi if he asked to remain with the team.
“I don’t want to box myself into one position,” he said. “So I’m going to operate today based on the information at hand. If the information tomorrow was different than today then I’ve got to re-evaluation my position. I’m open to anything that makes sense in the best interest of the Edmonton Oilers.”
Puljujarvi didn’t have much success playing with Milan Lucic, and believes his development was hurt by playing with Lucic. It may be appealing for Puljujarvi to play with someone like Tyler Benson or Joakim Nygard or Markus Granlund.
Holland said on TSN 1260 that he has spoken with teams about Puljujarvi and added “But nothing is really imminent on the Puljujarvi situation.”
Staples thinks that it may be best for Puljujarvi’s development and confidence if he were to head back to Europe for the season.
Wild checked out the trade market for Parise
Michael Russo of The Athletic: Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise has six years left on his deal at a $7.538 million salary cap hit. If he were to retire before his contract is done, the Wild or any team that acquired him through trade could face a cap recapture penalty.
According to sources Wild GM Paul Fenton investigated, at the draft and afterward, if there was any trade interest in Parise. If Fenton were to find an interested team, it would be a tricky deal to put together. Parise has a no-movement clause and the Wild would have to retain salary.
When asked if he would accept a trade:
“I think I want to win. I want to win here, and I do love everything away from the rink. We’ve got so many friends through the kids away from the rink, away from hockey. It’s so great. It is great, so that’s the hard part.
“But you get to that point where you want to win. That’s all you want to do. Trust me, we’d all love to win here. I think this place would be absolute insanity if we won here. So that’s the goal. I mean, I just don’t know. Let’s put it this way, they haven’t come to me asking if I want to get traded somewhere.
“We love everything about Minnesota. It’s just the hockey part lately has been difficult.”