One day after clearing unconditional waivers and having his contract mutually terminated by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Jesse Puljujarvi has signed a tryout agreement with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers.

Puljujarvi joins the Checkers after splitting time this season between the Penguins and the squad’s AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. With Pittsburgh, Puljujarvi posted three goals and six assists for nine points in 26 outings, while in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton he notched one goal and two assists for three points through four appearances. In all, Puljujarvi has spent the past two seasons with the Penguins’ organization. In 2023-24, he posted three goals and one assist for four points in 22 NHL games, while in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton he registered four goals and five assists for nine points in 13 outings.

Originally chosen fourth overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2016 NHL Draft, Puljujarvi has seen 382 total appearances at the NHL level counting stops with the Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Penguins in which he has tallied 57 goals and 70 assists for 127 points. With the Oilers in 2021-22, he reached a career-high 36 points counting 14 goals and 22 assists coming in 65 contests. Puljujarvi has also added three goals and three assists for six points through 27 appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

In joining the Checkers, the tryout opportunity allows Puljujarvi to compete in AHL games and work toward a full-time contract. Should Puljujarvi sign with the Checkers, however, it would only permit him to play in AHL games and not be recalled by the Florida Panthers, Charlotte’s NHL affiliate, unless he were to sign a new NHL contract with the Panthers.

Through 70 career contests at the AHL level counting stops with the Bakersfield Condors and Penguins, Puljujarvi has posted 20 goals and 29 assists for 49 points, including 28 points in 39 games with the Condors in 2016-17.