On this day in 2016, the Edmonton Oilers selected Jesse Puljujarvi with the fourth overall pick.
Thought for 7 seconds
On this day in 2016, the Edmonton Oilers made a dramatic choice by selecting Finnish winger Jesse Puljujärvi with the fourth overall pick of the NHL Entry Draft—just one slot behind Pierre-Luc Dubois and ahead of the celebrated Patrik Laine and Mikhail Sergachev . At 6’4″ and nearly 200 pounds, Puljujärvi was heralded as a rare power forward with speed, skill, and significant upside—a big-bodied winger who could blend scoring, playmaking, and physicality while skating like a top-tier talent .
His résumé leading into the draft was impressive: a dominant performance at the 2016 World Junior Championship, where he led all players with 17 points in seven games, helping Finland to gold and earning tournament MVP and Best Forward honours . On the international stage, he recorded the second-highest points total in under-18 history (behind Jaromir Jagr, tied with Gretzky and Lindros) .
Edmonton wasted no time—just a few weeks later, the Oilers signed him to a three-year entry-level deal worth $925,000 cap hit ($3.425M total) . Opening training camp in 2016–17, Puljujärvi earned a roster spot and made an immediate splash, scoring his first NHL goal in his debut on October 12, lining up alongside Leon Draisaitl and Patrick Maroon . Within his first month, he notched his first assist and gained valuable top-six experience .
But the transition wasn’t seamless. Despite flashes of high skill, he logged just 28 games in his rookie season, averaging under 12 minutes a night, before the Oilers sent him to the AHL in January—a decision some felt stifled his development . Sports writers criticized the Oilers’ handling of him, citing underutilization despite promise evidenced by his early production.
Puljujärvi’s early NHL career became a case of unfulfilled expectations. Over his first few seasons, he split time between Edmonton and Europe—returning to Finland’s Liiga during the 2019–20 season, before being re-signed by the Oilers in 2020 on a two-year deal ($900K, rising to $1.475M) . The move signaled renewed belief from both sides; Edmonton hoped his time overseas rekindled confidence and consistency.
That optimism paid off to some extent. In 2021–22, Puljujärvi delivered a breakout NHL season, playing on Connor McDavid’s wing, posting 12 goals and 16 assists in 46 games before a lower-body injury sidelined him for a month . He finished with career highs: 36 points and 22 assists over 65 games, notching his first NHL postseason contributions.
Edmonton rewarded him in July 2022 with a one-year, $3 million deal. That season, he recorded 14 goals and 22 assists in 65 games, totaling 98 points in 259 career games—all with the Oilers . Though he contributed in 20 playoff games (3 goals, 5 assists), age, roster fit, and development trajectories led the Oilers to trade him in 2023 for a draft pick.
Puljujärvi’s journey post-Oilers continued with stints at Carolina, Pittsburgh, and a tryout line into Florida. In April 2025, he joined the Panthers and was assessed a match penalty and subsequent hearing, ending in a two-game suspension for a hit to Tampa Bay’s Mitchell Chaffee—marking a shift toward a grittier edge in his play .
Now 26, he’s tallied 128 points (58 goals, 70 assists) in 387 NHL games across four franchises . His current role—one-year AHL-to-NHL tryout—underscores the crossroads at which he finds himself: skilled but seeking consistency, dynamic yet still chasing realization of first-round potential.
Reflecting on the 2016 pick, Puljujärvi’s career embodies both draft-day hope and the unpredictable nature of development. Edmonton’s gamble on his “power-forward” profile came with heavy expectations; that he didn’t become a perennial top-six staple reflects both organizational missteps and the challenge of translating junior dominance into sustained NHL success.
Fans and analysts remain divided. Some point to his uneven deployment, confidence fluctuations, and controversial moments as signs Edmonton misfired on a talented asset . Others credit him for overcoming adversity, embracing a journeyman path, and proving resilient in reestablishing an NHL career in new markets.
Now, nearly nine years since draft day, Puljujärvi stands at a critical juncture. Does he refine his identity as a reliable middle-six winger with scoring upside, or transition into a dependable veteran depth player? Florida’s playoff run and his suspension loom large—both offering him a stage and a setback.
For Oilers fans, the 2016 selection remains bittersweet. It marked a leap toward a skilled, big-bodied future alongside McDavid and Draisaitl, but ultimately the fit didn’t endure. Yet Puljujärvi’s story remains alive—another turn in the unpredictable, human journey of hockey careers: bubbling promise, adjustment, adaptation—and the unyielding pursuit of relevance.
On this day in draft history, Edmonton chose a player who showed flashes of brilliance, embraced challenges across continents, and continues to chase his place in the NHL narrative. That blend of hope, adaptation, and ongoing pursuit keeps Jesse Puljujärvi’s journey a story worth watching—proof that even non-linear paths can still carry value, resilience, and unfinished promise.
