BREAKING: Former 4th overall pick is expected to be placed on WAIVERS

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Ryan
February 10, 2023 (1:19 PM)

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When a player is selected in the first round of the National Hockey League Entry Draft, a lot of pressure gets put on you. But when you're selected in the top 5 that pressure is even higher.

Some players thrive under pressure, some do not. Some are put in the wrong situations, and don't thrive in the environment they are in, and need a fresh star somewhere else.

Well, like some other former high draft picks in Edmonton, their former 4th overall pick in Jesse Puljujarvi has not worked out at all.

Puljujarvi was a highly rated prospect in his draft year, especially after he dominated at the World Juniors for Team Finland, helping them to a Gold Medal.

Unfortunately though his time in Edmonton has been anything but dominant. You can see that the skill in there, but for some reason his finishing ability has not been and it's drastically hurt his confidence as a player and has affected his game significantly. It came to the point this season where he publicly called himself out to the media and also stated he couldn't handle the pressure of playing with Connor McDavid.

The Oilers have been actively looking for a trade for Puljujarvi, and there has been many rumours that one is in place, but as of yet no trigger has been pulled on the trade front.

Now the reports are that they will not be waiting for a trade and instead will be putting the former 4th overall pick on waivers.

Once Kailer Yamamoto is healthy, it's expected that Jesse Puljujarvi will be waived by the #Oilers.