The Montreal Canadiens had a brilliant weekend, coming out of Florida with four points, after outscoring the Panthers and Lightning 9-2.
One thing that they have stood by is the players that they bring in, and they have taken on struggling players. While the results are still to be determined, Alex Newhook and Kirby Dach are finding their way, and recent addition Alexandre Carrier has been steady and stabilizing on the blueline.
Puljujarvi (PIT) on waivers
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) December 30, 2024
However, one player who has grabbed hold of the spotlight since it was announced that he was coming to Montreal is Patrik Laine. The talented Finnish goalscorer is one of the purest shooters, and he just needed another chance to find his game. Laine has been nothing but complimentary of the city and team, and how he and his girlfriend have been welcomed.
Seeing that fellow Finn Jesse Puljujarvi, who had been playing with the Pittsburgh Penguins was put on waivers Monday afternoon. Puljujarvi, 26, was drafted fourth overall in the 2016 NHL Draft, after the likes of Auston Matthews, Laine and Pierre-Luc Dubois. In 21 games, the 6-foot-4 winger has 3-5-8 totals, which is a problem.
I do wonder if the pressure in Pittsburgh to win got in the way of his usage, but then again I don't watch a lot of Penguins hockey. I will say that the familiarity of Laine could entice him, and why not bring him in, and see how he plays? I think he would blend in well with the team, and the development staff can work with him.
Laine and Puljujarvi battled it out in the Finnish Liiga, and on many occasions represented their country on the international stage. I'm not saying that Puljujarvi will work out, but I do wonder if Laine and Armia could help him feel welcomed in the team. Once he gets into the locker room, the Canadiens personalities are sure to click with him.
I think in this case, culture could be just what Puljujarvi needs, and Montreal is all about culture. I think that is a pretty good environment for him to be in to establish himself. He is looking to find a home, and I think he could be an inexpensive gamble.
No disrespect is meant to Pittsburgh either, but Montreal is trying to built up to that. Puljujarvi could benefit from a team that is growing and getting better. That is precisely what he is trying to do.
Newhook & Dach can help Puljujarvi
Laine is the newest addition to the Habs, until the recent acquisition of Alexandre Carrier. But before him, Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook were the new guys. Now, Dach and Newhook have adapted to the city and team and have faced adversity. I think that Puljujarvi would be coming into a good group, that is young and competitive.
There will be expectations, but I think playing loose, smart hockey is the way the Canadiens are trying to go. In Pittsburgh, the expectations are to try and remain competitive for as long as they can with Sidney Crosby. I'm not suggesting that retirement is on the horizon, but very few players play beyond the age of 40, and Sid is 37.
The Habs would be Puljujarvi's fourth team since he left the Edmonton Oilers in 2022-2023. Puljujarvi played parts of six seasons split between Edmonton and their farm team the Bakersfield Condors. It's not as though he wasn't given ample time, perhaps the scare of this being his last NHL chance will motivate him.