Newly acquired Jesse Puljujarvi makes Penguins debut
By Alex Hanczar
PITTSBURGH (Feb. 6, 2024)—Just two days before resuming play from the 2024 All-Star break, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced the signing of forward Jesse Puljujarvi to a two-year deal.
The long-awaited signing came after Puljujarvi served 13 games with the Penguins’ minor league affiliate the Wilkes-Barre-Scranton Penguins.
In Wilkes-Barre, the 25-year-old forward tallied nine points that came in the form of four goals and five assists.
Puljujarvi underwent double hip surgery in June of 2023 that would sideline him until his recent return with the Pens.
Penguins fans were excited that the former fourth-overall pick of the Edmonton Oilers was finally getting his shot at redemption.
The Swedish winger played his first game with the Penguins on Feb. 6, 2024, where he would finish with no points and a plus one on the evening.
The zeroes on Puljujarvi’s scorecard do not accurately represent his performance as he was a key piece in the Penguins’ opening goal which led them to a 3-0 victory over the mighty Winnipeg Jets.
Puljujarvi received the go-ahead pass from Kris Letang which freed the Penguins from their zone. Puljujarvi then took the puck through the neutral zone and dumped it into the Jets end. There, he showed his forecheck skills along the wall and in front of the net as he opened up the ice for Letang who was able to bury it on Connor Hellebuyck.
While Puljujarvi did not record a point on the goal, he showcased what Penguins faithful had been hoping to see for quite some time now; a big, youthful player with the desire to do the dirty work in front of the net.
The Swede played alongside Lars Eller and Rickard Rakell, a trio that energized the Penguins all night.
Expect to see the newest six-foot-four addition be a key piece in a potential Stanley Cup run for this year’s Penguins.
No comments:
Post a Comment