NHL Free Agency: Jesse Puljujärvi Finished in NHL, Takes Talents Overseas (Again)

Jesse Puljujärvi has signed in Switzerland to continue his career

Jesse Puljujärvi has tried his hand with four different teams in the NHL, most notably a six-year run to begin his career with the Edmonton Oilers. But the former 4th overall selection in the NHL Draft has hit a wall in North America, and he's decided to head back overseas, signing 
a two-year contract in the Swiss National League with Genève-Servette.

"We've been following Jesse Puljujärvi for some time now," said Genève-Servette team manager Marc Gautschi. "Thanks to his physique and speed, he can be dominant on the big Swiss rinks." 

This isn't the first time that the 6'4" Puljujärvi has left the NHL. After his first three seasons in Edmonton, he left for Finland, the country where the Swedish forward grew up, and spent a season and a half with Karpat, before returning to Edmonton for another three years. His best NHL season came in 2021-22 with the Oilers, when he registered 14 goals and 36 points in 65 games, averaging 16:14 of ice time per night. 

He was then traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in 2023, and spent time with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Florida Panthers this past season. He totaled four goals and 10 points in 31 games in 2024-25. 

“I’m really excited to be joining Genève-Servette!” Puljujärvi said in the team’s press release. “I’ve heard nothing but good things about the organization and the league, and I’m looking forward to experiencing it all."

In 387 career NHL regular-season games, Puljujärvi had 58 goals and 128 points, along with 565 hits. 

Photo: © Perry Nelson-Imagn Images