The Florida Panthers are back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, but that can mean it's tough to break through into consistent playing time.
Jesse Puljujärvi felt that roster crunch, and he's jumping off the title-winning ship.
Puljujärvi is likely to sign in Switzerland for next season, according to Swiss newspaper Blick.
The 27-year old winger was once the fourth overall pick by Edmonton in 2016. But he's never quite lived up to the hype.
He played six seasons for the Oilers, accumulating 112 points in 317 games.
Then it was a season in Carolina, with two points in 17 games.
MORE: Connor McDavid could make a decision that shocks the NHL
Puljujärvi went on to play a year-and-a-half in Pittsburgh (13 points in 48 games).
He joined Florida for the end of this season, playing in five NHL games and scoring a single goal while also shining at the AHL level.
Given his point-scoring hasn't topped 20 in a season since 2021-22, it makes sense for Puljujärvi to seek smoother ice elsewhere.
It shouldn't be a huge blow to the Panthers, but it is just a bit of a bummer to see a player once so highly thought of simply not be able to find a path to NHL stardom that many used to envision for him.
MORE NHL NEWS:
- Alex Tuch could secure a huge payday
- Rangers, Islanders compete to trade for 68-point winger
- Rasmus Andersson could be traded from Calgary
- K'Andre Miller could be traded from Rangers
- Jonathan Toews is returning to the NHL
- Things look iffy with Canucks, Pius Suter