Sportsnet: The signing deadline for Jesse Puljujarvi to be eligible to play in the NHL this season is today at 5:00 pm EST. Puljujarvi has said he wants to finish the season in Finland, and that may even be the case if his rights are traded today.
“Right now, everything fairly quiet around Edmonton Oilers forward Jesse Puljujarvi,” Johnston said during the Headlines portion of Hockey Night in Canada. “And it’s my belief that he wants to remain in Finland even if he is dealt.”
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Sun: Don’t hold your breath on Jesse Puljujarvi getting dealt before the deadline. GM Ken Holland has been getting calls the past few weeks but nothing has been close.
Puljujarvi doesn’t want to sign with the Edmonton Oilers at all, and he wants to remain in Finland this season.
“I’ve talked to some teams but I’m not close to a deal,” said Holland, who is juggling two scenarios here.
Will the Oilers eventually want to trade him in a one-off deal or in a package? Would they be willing to include him in a rental deal for a playoff push.
Sportsnet: Dallas Stars RFA Julius Honka is also playing in Finland and needs to be signed by today. Honka is different that Puljujarvi as he wants to come back to the NHL this season.
“He wants to get back to North America,” Johnston said of Honka on Saturday night’s Headlines segment on Hockey Night in Canada. “There is a belief that the Dallas Stars might be able to get something done with him.”
Back in September Honka requested a trade, but the Stars haven’t like the offers they’ve received.
“To this point, (the Stars) haven’t had offers that they like on the defenceman,” Johnston said. “But with that deadline looming, there’s still some hope he will be moved.”