The Edmonton Oilers Have Received an Offer For Jesse Puljujarvi and It's Been Leaked by Mark Spector

The Hurricanes are reportedly prepared to send winger Ondrej Kase, who is now on LTIR due to a concussion, to Edmonton in exchange for Puljujarvi, but only if the Finnish winger clears waivers, according to Sportsnet's Mark Spector.

It would enable Carolina to switch him between the AHL if necessary while determining whether a change of environment may help him get going. Kase's career is likely over due to head issues, but he hasn't officially called it quits yet, the Oilers would be able to put him on long-term injury reserve and suck up a contract if it means the Hurricanes take Puljujarvi's $3 million annual average. 

The 24-year-old, who was selected with the fourth overall pick in 2016, has had a significant decline and hasn't come close to live up to expectations. With just five goals and seven assists in 53 games this season, Puljujarvi's offensive performance has been extremely limited compared to his 36 points in 65 games from the previous year. 

Puljujarvi would have probably already been placed on the waiver wire if GM Ken Holland didn't still think he might get anything nice for him. The suggested deal with Carolina would create $1.5MM in regular cap room and $1.5MM (Kase's cap hit) in their LTIR pool if he weren't claimed, which would free up the entire $3MM in cap room.

Even though it wouldn't be a stellar return by any means, it would allow them a little more room to manoeuvre as they try to either acquire a player before the March 3rd trade deadline or bring someone back up from the AHL Bakersfield to prevent having to play without a player like they did last night, without Holloway and Desharnais. If Holland is able to find Puljujarvi a better solution than this one, we'll know soon enough.