With the Oilers still licking their wounds two days after being swept by the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Final, general manager Ken Holland was noncommittal on Jesse Puljujarvi's future in Edmonton.
"That's what I've gotta sort out," Holland told reporters Wednesday when asked if he thinks Puljujarvi is part of the team's solution moving forward.
"The second half of the year, it was a real struggle. … I think he lost his confidence. Then when he lost his confidence, he obviously was in the top six, and then he worked his way down to the bottom six. … I've gotta sort out Jesse."
Puljujarvi, 24, is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. He put up 14 goals and 22 assists in 65 regular-season games in 2021-22. His production wilted in the playoffs, registering just two goals and one helper in 16 contests.
Interim head coach Jay Woodcroft said injuries and illnesses disrupted Puljujarvi's momentum this past season while pointing out that he posted a career-high 36 points.