The Finnish player aspiring to return to the NHL is getting closer to playing condition.
Been on the sidelines for the entire hockey season Jesse Puljujärvi continues to practice in Pittsburgh. The forward, who underwent hip surgery in the summer, signed a trial contract with the Penguins two weeks ago, but the Penguins have a long way to go before their first NHL game.
A week ago, Puljujärvi, who mainly trained with the physical trainers in the gym, was seen on Friday playing puck in the Penguins rink. Reporter for SportsNet Pittsburgh Dan Potash shared in X a short video in which Puljujärvi, who carried the puck, makes laps at the center circle.
The Finnish NHL player’s movements still lack sharpness, but steps towards real games have been taken based on the video.
The attackers were also seen rehabilitating their injuries in the ice training sessions Matt Nieto and Bryan Rust. The trio practiced before the healthy crew was released onto the ice.
Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan commented on the situation in Puljujärvi a week ago. At that time, the Finn’s ice training was sparing.
– He has worked with physical trainers and hasn’t been on the ice for a while. He is recuperating from a major operation and trying to figure out the related processes, which we already knew, the coach told reporters at the time.
Puljujärvi told Iltalehti in September that the goal is to be fit for the game in December-January.
– If you could get there, it would be quite a challenge, but then everything has to go smoothly. According to my own feeling, this is where we go. You can feel it when you start to be ready, the player thought.
Jesse Puljujärvi last played in the NHL playoffs at the beginning of May. Maiju Pohjanheimo