Disgruntled Edmonton restricted free agent Jesse Puljujärvi has already stated it isn't about the money after revealing he will play in Europe this season unless Oilers GM Ken Holland trades him to another team. So, it likely comes as no surprise to most that he'll make far less in Europe than he would in North America. According to Jim Matheson, who covers the Oilers for the Edmonton Journal, Puljujärvi will make 200,000 Euros to play in his hometown of Oulu. That's around $221,000 US or $294,000 Canadian.
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Puljujärvi made $925,000 in the NHL last season, although that dropped to $70,000 during his time in the AHL. While he hasn't exactly set the world on fire stats-wise with Edmonton, it stands to reason he would make at least that should he sign his qualifying offer with the team, and most likely more.
Meanwhile, in an interview with a Finnish media outlet, Puljujärvi stated his main goal is to be traded to an NHL team that will give him top-six minutes.
“I want a team where I get a place in one of the first two lines and where I get to play for 15 minutes per game,” Puljujärvi said in the interview with Sporten. “Then I could show what I'm going for. That is my main goal.”
Puljujärvi's agent, Mark Lehto, continues to reiterate that the trade request is not a bluff to get more money out of Edmonton. He says Puljujärvi is convinced he needs a fresh start in the NHL.
"This is about getting an opportunity for a new start," Lehto told another Finnish media outlet. "The salary can be almost anything."
The problem for Edmonton is the return for the former fourth overall pick in 2016 is likely to be low at this point. Puljujärvi scored just four goals and nine points in 46 games last season and has just 17 goals and 37 points in 139 NHL games over three NHL campaigns.
