A very recognizable hockey name has landed in the Florida Panthers’ system.
The Charlotte Checkers, Florida’s American League affiliate, has signed Jesse Puljujarvi to a PTO, or professional tryout, the team announced Monday.
This comes one day after the former fourth overall pick and the Pittsburgh Penguins mutually decided to terminate his NHL contract after he was put on waivers last week.
Afterwards, Penguins General Manager Kyle Dubas released a statement providing insight into the decision.
An interesting name in that statement is Markus Lehto, who is Puljujarvi’s agent.
Lehto has long been a close acquaintance with Panthers General Manager Bill Zito, as the two co-founded a sports agency in the 90s and have remained tight in the decades since.
Could there be a fit in Florida for the former high draft pick?
Potentially.
If Puljujarvi is willing and physically able to play Florida’s gritty, defensive, demanding style, he’s certainly got the speed and skill to keep up.
He’ll get a taste of what the Panthers do at the NHL level playing with Charlotte, as Checkers Head Coach Geordie Kinnear runs a similar system as to what Paul Maurice employs in Florida.
Puljujarvi would also likely come cheap, as the young forward would be getting a clean slate on one of the top Stanley Cup contending teams in the NHL, albeit one that is limited under the cap.
It’s also worth noting that the Panthers have earned themselves a reputation as a team that players can come to and find success, leading to them cashing in on a bigger, longer deal, whether it be in Florida or elsewhere.
Puljujarvi will be joining a Checkers squad that is having a strong season in the AHL and looking to build some momentum as they move closer to the Calder Cup Playoffs.
The Checkers currently sit in third place in the Atlantic Division, one point back of second place Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Since being selected by Edmonton in the 2016 NHL Draft, Puljujarvi has played 382 NHL games for the Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins, accumulating 57 goals and 127 points.
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