Confirmed with Link: [EDM/CAR] Jesse Puljujarvi for Patrik Puistola

[JustNapalmIt]

Because there isn't a more polarizing player in the history of the organization?

Ah, Yak was pretty polarizing. Oddly enough, his "issues" were very similar to Puju's. But in those days the analytics acolytes were not nearly as loud (I have zero idea if they were good or bad). Also, Yak at least "looked" like he could play hockey a bit.

 

[MessierII]

Ah, Yak was pretty polarizing. Oddly enough, his "issues" were very similar to Puju's. But in those days the analytics acolytes were not nearly as loud (I have zero idea if they were good or bad). Also, Yak at least "looked" like he could play hockey a bit.

Jesse is definitely way better without the puck than Yak but even Yak was better with it. Not that it translated to anything. Yak had skill just no idea how to use it.

Hitchcocks evaluation of Puljujarvi ended up being spot on.

 

[Aerchon]

Ah, Yak was pretty polarizing. Oddly enough, his "issues" were very similar to Puju's. But in those days the analytics acolytes were not nearly as loud (I have zero idea if they were good or bad). Also, Yak at least "looked" like he could play hockey a bit.

I hate the Yak comparison. These are 2 completely different players where one of these players has all the tools to succeed in the nhl the other did not.

Stylistically and damn near everything these two players should never be mentioned in the same breath.

Now of course he will be another failed high pick for Edmonton. But they are so different.

Unfortunately, the Magnus comparisons are actually much more valid. MP and JP are similar and for JP to stay in the NHL he will have to completely reinvent himself.

I don't think he will. I think he will just go be a big fish in a small pond and head back to Finland with tail tucked firmly between legs.

 

[bobbythebrain]

I hate the Yak comparison. These are 2 completely different players where one of these players has all the tools to succeed in the nhl the other did not.

Stylistically and damn near everything these two players should never be mentioned in the same breath.

Now of course he will be another failed high pick for Edmonton. But they are so different.

Unfortunately, the Magnus comparisons are actually much more valid. MP and JP are similar and for JP to stay in the NHL he will have to completely reinvent himself.

I don't think he will. I think he will just go be a big fish in a small pond and head back to Finland with tail tucked firmly between legs.

They both had the tools to succeed. JPs size is irrelevant.

The most noticeable thing that both share is lack of hockey IQ.

Yak with his big circles and JP with his blueline coasting. Let's also not forget both used to make quick and untimely line changes.

If either of them possessed better hockey IQ, each had their own special tools to succeed

 

[Oilhawks]

Not every player wants to play in the NHL. Some of them are happy where they are with stuff and people around them that they know.

I do have to say though that I would defo go for it.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong in deciding that the NHL isn’t for them (ex Gaetan Haas who is an NHL 4th liner but probably makes more in the Swiss League) or that they’re in too tough to make the club but he has a pretty solid opportunity to do so here with some lack in winger depth. Also sounds like he’s producing at a level that could translate quite well. Guess we’ll see

I could see someone like Vancouver giving him a cheap deal in the offseason.

They’re collecting Russians right now after getting tired of collecting Swedes, maybe later when they decide to change it up again

 

[guymez]

Jesse is definitely way better without the puck than Yak but even Yak was better with it. Not that it translated to anything. Yak had skill just no idea how to use it.

Hitchcocks evaluation of Puljujarvi ended up being spot on.

When I watched Yak play it was like his head couldnt keep up with his body.
So instead of him driving the bus it was like the bus was driving him around...lol

 

[oobga]

Jesse!!!!?

 

[AM]

this is likely the best thing to happen to him. Now he needs to evaluate his game and prioritize the good parts.

 

[bobbythebrain]

this is likely the best thing to happen to him. Now he needs to evaluate his game and prioritize the good parts.

Is he smart enough to do that tho?

He was told to work on English. He put that on hold for years.
He has been told several times to protect puck better. He clearly didn't get an iota better at it, suggesting he didn't put in hours upon hours in that one area.
His shot also has not improved in the slightest.

Said it before, will say it again. It always seemed like JP went home, worked out and played shiny and ran generic drills.
Never have we heard of this guy really working on one area of his game and showing improvement.

Not sure why this time will be different for him tbh

 

[I am the Liquor]

I hate the Yak comparison. These are 2 completely different players where one of these players has all the tools to succeed in the nhl the other did not.

Stylistically and damn near everything these two players should never be mentioned in the same breath.

Now of course he will be another failed high pick for Edmonton. But they are so different.

Unfortunately, the Magnus comparisons are actually much more valid. MP and JP are similar and for JP to stay in the NHL he will have to completely reinvent himself.

I don't think he will. I think he will just go be a big fish in a small pond and head back to Finland with tail tucked firmly between legs.

They both lacked hockey IQ

 

[JustNapalmIt]

I hate the Yak comparison. These are 2 completely different players where one of these players has all the tools to succeed in the nhl the other did not.

Stylistically and damn near everything these two players should never be mentioned in the same breath.

Now of course he will be another failed high pick for Edmonton. But they are so different.

Unfortunately, the Magnus comparisons are actually much more valid. MP and JP are similar and for JP to stay in the NHL he will have to completely reinvent himself.

I don't think he will. I think he will just go be a big fish in a small pond and head back to Finland with tail tucked firmly between legs.

Yes, they were very different players. But they both had 1 thing in common. Zero hockey sense.

 

[Aerchon]

They both lacked hockey IQ

Yes, they were very different players. But they both had 1 thing in common. Zero hockey sense.

JP is 10 times better defensively than Yak...

Jessie lacks puck handling skills and finish. Is a giant and can skate better than Yak as well. JP doesn't lack hockey IQ overall. Offensively, sure.

Yak lacks.... pretty much everything.

The Yak comparison is about as bad as comparison as one can get.

 

[5 14 6 1]

Because there isn't a more polarizing player in the history of the organization?

He's no longer in the organization

 

[Slats432]

He's no longer in the organization

But it is still on the front page because he is one of the most polarizing players in the HISTORY of the organization. Or did you miss the history part. People are quite invested emotionally. Personally I am not overly passionate either way, but was commenting on why this is still a topic for some people.

 

[longtimeoilfan]

JP is 10 times better defensively than Yak...

Jessie lacks puck handling skills and finish. Is a giant and can skate better than Yak as well. JP doesn't lack hockey IQ overall. Offensively, sure.

Yak lacks.... pretty much everything.

The Yak comparison is about as bad as comparison as one can get.

JP just lacks I.Q., period ...

 

[KlimasLoveChild]

"Jesse's not dumb he has me as an agent!" haha

 

[TKB21]

Healthy scratch for a second game in a row.

 

[bobbythebrain]

Healthy scratch for a second game in a row.

"Elite defensively"
"Makes every line he's on better"
"The next Nichushkin"

 

[Captain Controversy]

Man...Oilers didn't have the guts to bench pulju...
Canes don't f*** around.
By bench, I mean scratch.

 

[Tarus]

Man...Oilers didn't have the guts to bench pulju...
Canes don't f*** around.
By bench, I mean scratch.

Considering the team gave him never ending chances, constantly talked about how they wanted some specific value for him, and didn't end up dumping him until he was worthless on the market in the end; I get the sense that Oilers management was either suffering from a crippling case of sunken cost fallacy, if not outright terrified to give up on him. Woodcroft was routinely playing him on the top line right up until January's closed door meeting and "getting guys going" stopped being a priority, so it seems like he had some true believers backing him in the organization right until the end. Who knows, maybe the Oilers brass are was more into dodgy advance stats than Oiler twitter gives them credit for.

6'4 players that superficially look talented can have a weird effect on people though. A Canes fan I know is already rationalizing the scratches as "regular roster rotation to keep everyone fresh for the playoffs", rather than a sign that he might just not be very good

 

[bobbythebrain]

Man...Oilers didn't have the guts to bench pulju...
Canes don't f*** around.
By bench, I mean scratch.

They needed to keep a semblance of trade value

 

[trojansoilers]

I wonder if this is it for him in the NHL. As much as I want him to succeed, being healthy-scratched by a team full of his fellow countrymen can't be good for his confidence.

I mean, it seems like he's playing even worse with the Canes than he was with us....

 

[JordanGalhanth]

I wonder if this is it for him in the NHL. As much as I want him to succeed, being healthy-scratched by a team full of his fellow countrymen can't be good for his confidence.

I mean, it seems like he's playing even worse with the Canes than he was with us....

Not only that, but the Canes have also lost their top right winger (Svechnikov) for the season. That should theoretically be the perfect audition spot, but the fact that there's no room for JP at all in that scenario is quite telling.

 

[joestevens29]

Not only that, but the Canes have also lost their top right winger (Svechnikov) for the season. That should theoretically be the perfect audition spot, but the fact that there's no room for JP at all in that scenario is quite telling.

Guy has had two perfect situations now. Playing with one of Connor, Leon or Ryan. Or playing with two countrymen as a center in CAR or a vet in Staal/Stastny.

But nope can't figure it out

 

[McShogun99]

Considering the team gave him never ending chances, constantly talked about how they wanted some specific value for him, and didn't end up dumping him until he was worthless on the market in the end; I get the sense that Oilers management was either suffering from a crippling case of sunken cost fallacy, if not outright terrified to give up on him. Woodcroft was routinely playing him on the top line right up until January's closed door meeting and "getting guys going" stopped being a priority, so it seems like he had some true believers backing him in the organization right until the end. Who knows, maybe the Oilers brass are was more into dodgy advance stats than Oiler twitter gives them credit for.

6'4 players that superficially look talented can have a weird effect on people though. A Canes fan I know is already rationalizing the scratches as "regular roster rotation to keep everyone fresh for the playoffs", rather than a sign that he might just not be very good

That's normal for high drafted players that are failing to succeed. They'll get numerous chances to "figure it out" by the team that drafted them but once they go somewhere else the leash gets considerably shorter. This summer JP either signs a near league minimum contract or goes back to Finland.