The Edmonton Oilers have signed Jesse Puljujarvi, the fourth overall draft pick from the 2016 draft, to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Wednesday. Financial details, including his Schedule A and Schedule B bonuses, have not been disclosed.
Oilers radio analyst Bob Stauffer reports that it totals $3.425 million, the same amount that Pierre-Luc Dubois, drafted third overall, received from the Columbus Blue Jackets. That maximum base pay on an entry-level deal is $925,000, so that figure would put Puljujarvi near the maximum on both base pay and bonuses.
Puljujarvi fell into the laps of the Oilers after the Blue Jackets surprised most everyone at the draft, taking Dubois third. Puljujarvi was widely considered to be a lock for the third pick behind Auston Matthews and fellow Finn Patrik Laine.
The #Oilers have signed 2016 fourth-overall #NHLDraft pick Jesse Puljujärvi to a three-year entry-level contract. pic.twitter.com/Bu0Tvy9K2d
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) July 13, 2016
He spent last season playing for Karpat in the Finnish Liiga where he was able to hold his own against men, tallying 13 goals and 28 points in 50 matches. He also had a record-breaking World Junior Championship run, helping Team Finland win gold on home ice by scoring five goals and 17 points in seven games.
He also helped the Finns to victory at the U18 World Championships, scoring five goals and seven points in four contests.
Puljujarvi is expected to make the NHL roster out of camp this fall.