Jesse Puljujarvi does not take this opportunity for granted.
The original first-round pick wants to show his new team what he can do as the Florida Panthers need reinforcements as they head into the playoffs.
“I just want to show that I can play high-level hockey,” said Puljujarvi, who was recalled with the other two AHL forms on Sunday. “I really want to help this team succeed. That’s all I’m trying to do. I’ll work really hard on every shift and do my best.”
After signing the AHL Professional Tryout with Charlotte Checkers in February, Puljujarvi was inked on a two-way contract by the Panthers for the remainder of the 2024-25 season on March 5th.
The 26-year-old forward, originally drafted by the Edmonton Oilers on his fourth pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, has already existed in three organizations in his young career, and has been talented in South Florida after scoring 118 points (54 goals, 64 assists) in 355 games.
At this point in his career, Puljujarvi hopes that his skills will ultimately lead to stability.
“There’s nothing to lose, so you can go and play and have fun,” he said.
Puljujarvi, who scored a shot alongside the Panthers, played well in the AHL, helping the Checker notched 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists) in 20 games before the call-up, and scored the playoff berth.
Packing that success with his suitcase, his debut with the Panthers worked well.
Alexander Barkov, Matthew Tokachuk, Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett and Nico Sturm were all unavailable, and Prujjalvi skated on the team’s second line in a 2-1 defeat in Detroit on Sunday.
An immediate impact, he led Florida with a hit (6) and fired five shots in goal.
5-5, the Panthers controlled 59.09% of shot attempts when deployed.
“It was really fun playing with really good players,” said Prujharvi, who skated with Carter Verhaege and Evan Rodriguez. “I enjoyed every minute. …They (the Panthers) want to be themselves and work hard. They have some things they want to do.”
As far as first impressions go, director Paul Maurice liked what he saw.
“Five shots in goal, six hits, big man,” said Puljujarvi, who measures 6-foot-4 and 216 pounds. “(He’s) the right shot, and we don’t have many shots. There are players who can adapt the game to the way they play. Sometimes they reinvent themselves, but I like those two ideas.
Puljujarvi is expected to return to the lineup and build his strong debut when the Panthers hold the Toronto Maple Leafs at Amerant Bank Arena at 7pm on Tuesday.
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