Player Discussion Jesse Puljujärvi 4th Overall 2016 Draft.

[McFlyingV]

Pulju is built like an NBA player rather than NHLer with that tall frame and long arms. He seems to be extremely fit as well. The athleticism of the kid is through the roof I think.

The long arms with his size and speed make for a great 2-way package. Guy's gonna be able to cover some serious distance to block passing lanes and intercept passes, and should be a possession monster with his frame and reach once he fills out.

 

[nabob]

I mean that very few Euros are able to successfully transition between Europe and the NHL as an 18 year old; even less (I actually can't think of 1 who has) are able to do so without speaking English. Most either:
- come over in junior and learn the language in a lower pressure environment
- get drafted and play overseas for a few years before making the transition
- play in the AHL

He can speak limited english and understands the language when it is spoken to him.

I still dont understand how it would be any different if he played an extra year or two in Europe or played a year with players well below his level in the AHL where less resources would be available to him to help him adjust to NA?

How many 18 year old Euro players have failed to do the transition because they were 18? I think it is simply a case of him being a very rare talent and being ready to play in the NHL skill and maturity wise as an 18 year old.

 

[samlaget]

Just watching some highlights and something that strikes me is the resemblance of an young Mats Sundin....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgYWQcvJWrs

And here's some early Sundin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JnHf_1RAbY

I think he'll grow in to himself in a few years and will be a force out there.

 

[Joe MacMillan]

The long arms with his size and speed make for a great 2-way package. Guy's gonna be able to cover some serious distance to block passing lanes and intercept passes, and should be a possession monster with his frame and reach once he fills out.

Yup, his reach is incredible. That combined with his great skating he makes for an excellent forechecker.

IIRC his wingspan is in top 10 of this year's draftees and the measurement they have on him is from last fall.

 

[Kyyrii]

Also bit off board but Finland beat Cze u20 team 4-2 on wednesday and Rasanen scored a goal.
For next years draft Tolvanen got 2+2 on 2 games against Cze, Pulju was not invited.

I have to correct this a little bit. Jesse indeed was invited according to invite list but did not come. This does gives us couple of suggestions:

a) Jesse can skate now, we have seen pictures and videos. But maybe it isn't still 100% / he can't play with contact.
b) Jesse is healthy but Jesse/doctors/manager/Oilers think that it would be safer him to just train and avoid new injuries.
c) Oilers want Jesse to stay in Finland because he has already travelled much this summer and needs time to properly heal from his injuries.

I think that the truth is somewhere between a and b. Maybe he already could play but Oilers don't want him to take any risks. And so don't I. Jesse still has over a month to go before Penticton and training camps. If Jesse could start skating sooner than he estimated then it would be safe to think that he really is 100 % come September. In September it has been four months since operation and given that it was minor / maintenance, healing time should be enough.

 

[Joe MacMillan]

I have to correct this a little bit. Jesse indeed was invited according to invite list but did not come. This does gives us couple of suggestions:

a) Jesse can skate now, we have seen pictures and videos. But maybe it isn't still 100% / he can't play with contact.
b) Jesse is healthy but Jesse/doctors/manager/Oilers think that it would be safer him to just train and avoid new injuries.
c) Oilers want Jesse to stay in Finland because he has already travelled much this summer and needs time to properly heal from his injuries.

It's probably all of the above. He's coming off an injury and he has nothing to gain from participating. He's better off training and getting prepared for the upcoming camp instead of playing a competition he has already dominated against and risk for another injury.

 

[BB88]

I have to correct this a little bit. Jesse indeed was invited according to invite list but did not come. This does gives us couple of suggestions:

a) Jesse can skate now, we have seen pictures and videos. But maybe it isn't still 100% / he can't play with contact.
b) Jesse is healthy but Jesse/doctors/manager/Oilers think that it would be safer him to just train and avoid new injuries.
c) Oilers want Jesse to stay in Finland because he has already travelled much this summer and needs time to properly heal from his injuries.

I think that the truth is somewhere between a and b. Maybe he already could play but Oilers don't want him to take any risks. And so don't I. Jesse still has over a month to go before Penticton and training camps. If Jesse could start skating sooner than he estimated then it would be safe to think that he really is 100 % come September. In September it has been four months since operation and given that it was minor / maintenance, healing time should be enough.

I'm sorry I meant didn't play.

I'd guess its mostly about him getting to train and taking it safe, everyone knows what he can do already.

Laine had a similar surgery as Pulju and he said he didn't miss any workouts because of the injury, he was scheduled to have 3 weeks off after the season anyways and the knee is 100% right now.
His development hasn't been affected at all by the injury and Pulju had his surgery done earlier.

 

[ijuka]

If Pulju wasn't expected to skate until August and the surgery was in May, I really doubt it was as small of a surgery as Laine's.

 

[BB88]

If Pulju wasn't expected to skate until August and the surgery was in May, I really doubt it was as small of a surgery as Laine's.

Laine didn't skate either at the development camp.
Everywhere I've read they've mentioned it was a minor surgery, more of a precausion.

 

[Kyyrii]

In some interview to Canadian media Puljujärvi did mention that it was meniscus tear. It normally takes 8 to 10 weeks to heal properly. And Jesse did skate about 10 weeks after the operation. And yes, that does count as a small injury / precaution in many sources given that "normal" people can continue their sporting activities about two weeks after the operation.

(And yes, Laine also underwent the surgery but I do think that it was even more minor than Jesse's. Still Laine has said that he is not going to skate before September and WC camp. And he underwent the surgery about month and half after Jesse so their schedules are pretty similar.)

About six weeks and then we can see Jesse first time in action (well, atleast you guys see, I have to find some way and time to do that here in Finland) at Penticton. Can't wait!

 

[GGSmitty]

In some interview to Canadian media Puljujärvi did mention that it was meniscus tear. It normally takes 8 to 10 weeks to heal properly. And Jesse did skate about 10 weeks after the operation. And yes, that does count as a small injury / precaution in many sources given that "normal" people can continue their sporting activities about two weeks after the operation.

(And yes, Laine also underwent the surgery but I do think that it was even more minor than Jesse's. Still Laine has said that he is not going to skate before September and WC camp. And he underwent the surgery about month and half after Jesse so their schedules are pretty similar.)

About six weeks and then we can see Jesse first time in action (well, atleast you guys see, I have to find some way and time to do that here in Finland) at Penticton. Can't wait!

In the past the teams involved have broadcasted the Penticton games through their websites. So as long as you have Internet you should be good.

 

[oilinblood]

I think Poolparty plays like a centre. It will be interesting to see what McL sees and interprets in camp. Considering i feel Poo will be with Nuge- and Eberle with McDavid, I will be interested to see if maybe a Looch-Drais-Poolparty line works. Thats a heavy line. If Maroon comes to camp in great shape he could stay up with McD and Ebs.


Man what a wealth of talent and muscle we have now.

 

[smokersarejokers]

I think Poolparty plays like a centre. It will be interesting to see what McL sees and interprets in camp. Considering i feel Poo will be with Nuge- and Eberle with McDavid, I will be interested to see if maybe a Looch-Drais-Poolparty line works. Thats a heavy line. If Maroon comes to camp in great shape he could stay up with McD and Ebs.


Man what a wealth of talent and muscle we have now.

They're not paying Lucic to play on the 3rd line. He'll get every opportunity to play with McDavid and probably Eberle on the top line. I guess we'll see how things work out, but it would be a shame to be spending that much money on a 3rd line LW.

Lucic is essentially a better version of Maroon.

Lucic McDavid Eberle
Pouliot Nuge Yakupov?
Maroon Draisaitl Puljujarvi?
Hendricks Letestu Kassian

I'm guessing Puljujarvi and Yakupov will compete for 2nd or 3rd line spots.

 

[oilinblood]

They're not paying Lucic to play on the 3rd line. He'll get every opportunity to play with McDavid and probably Eberle on the top line. I guess we'll see how things work out, but it would be a shame to be spending that much money on a 3rd line LW.

Lucic is essentially a better version of Maroon.

Lucic McDavid Eberle
Pouliot Nuge Yakupov?
Maroon Draisaitl Puljujarvi?
Hendricks Letestu Kassian

I'm guessing Puljujarvi and Yakupov will compete for 2nd or 3rd line spots.

you do know your 3rd line can play more minutes than your first right if the game conforms to their style (hello Pacific division)? the game is hockey and the purpose is to win. if that means hammering teams with a lethal cycle line that can finish...and killing their top d or scoring on their crap d...and then sending out mcdavid and rnh lines one after another on those banged d and crap bottoms...well that means wins. McD will eat those donkey mid pairs for breakfast.

you did watch the playoffs right? 3 offensive lines. what contract did they have on the right side?

but i am not married to anything until i see chemistry in camp. McL will go with what fits chemistry wise. if Drai and Looch are gelling...100% hes with Draiskull.

 

[duul]

Lucic-McDavid-Eberle
Maroon-RNH-Puljujarvi
Pouliot-Draisaitl-Yakupov
Hendricks-Letestu-Kassian

That's how I see it shaking out if they decide to run Draisaitl at C and run three scoring lines. We can't really load up the top 6 due to not having a 3C otherwise.

 

[oilinblood]

Lucic-McDavid-Eberle
Maroon-RNH-Puljujarvi
Pouliot-Draisaitl-Yakupov
Hendricks-Letestu-Kassian

That's how I see it shaking out if they decide to run Draisaitl at C and run three scoring lines. We can't really load up the top 6 due to not having a 3C otherwise.

Its a good lineup nonetheless and there are two guys that i think might come to camp and make Yak look foolish if he has a bad camp --that are NOT on that lineup

this camp will either drop yaks value to absolute zilch or put him in a position to really change his career. I hope for the Oilers and him its the latter.

 

[smokersarejokers]

you do know your 3rd line can play more minutes than your first right if the game conforms to their style (hello Pacific division)? the game is hockey and the purpose is to win. if that means hammering teams with a lethal cycle line that can finish...and killing their top d or scoring on their crap d...and then sending out mcdavid and rnh lines one after another on those banged d and crap bottoms...well that means wins. McD will eat those donkey mid pairs for breakfast.

you did watch the playoffs right? 3 offensive lines. what contract did they have on the right side?

but i am not married to anything until i see chemistry in camp. McL will go with what fits chemistry wise. if Drai and Looch are gelling...100% hes with Draiskull.

Woah. Calm down, Herm Edwards.

Yes I watched the playoffs. I agree that chemistry is a major factor, but I just think Lucic is better suited to your top line (more offensive ability) and Maroon is better suited to a 3rd line role wearing down the D.

Just saying...

 

[Zaddy]

Lucic-McDavid-Eberle
Maroon-RNH-Puljujarvi
Pouliot-Draisaitl-Yakupov
Hendricks-Letestu-Kassian

That's how I see it shaking out if they decide to run Draisaitl at C and run three scoring lines. We can't really load up the top 6 due to not having a 3C otherwise.

Not bad, but personally I'd like to spread the wealth a little bit more. I feel like both the 2nd and 3rd line has the potential of being shut down / being incapable of producing offense against the stronger defensive teams.

I'd rather roll something like:

Lucic-RNH-Puljujärvi
Maroon-McDavid-Yak
Pouliot-Draisaitl-Eberle

or

Lucic-McDavid-Yak
Pouliot-RNH-Eberle
Maroon-Draisaitl-Puljujärvi

or

Lucic-RNH-Eberle
Maroon-McDavid-Yak
Pouliot-Draisaitl-Puljujärvi

or

Maroon-McDavid-Yak
Pouliot-RNH-Eberle
Lucic-Draisaitl-Puljujärvi

I don't know, there's many combinations that could work. I'd like to see Yak and McDavid together as I think that's the only way to get Yaks production and confidence going. The 3rd guy on that line should be a big winger that can grind in the corners like Maroon or Lucic. Then you can do whatever else you want with the other two lines.

I actually like the 3rd combination I posted the most. It would be really interesting to see what RNH and Eberle can do together when they have a mean SOB like Lucic on their line. Pouliot-Drai-Pulju would be a very solid 3rd line that should be reliable in all three zones.

Lucic-Drai-Pulju would be an interesting line too though. Three big and heavy guys that would be very tough to play against. Between Looch's physicality, Drai's puck possession and playmaking and Puljus speed that would be a nightmare to play against, especially if they get to match up against the other teams bottom pairings.

Overall I really like our forward depth this year. Adding Lucic, Maroon and Pulju while hopefully getting big seasons out of Drai and McD has me excited.

 

[Staghorn]

I like:

Lucic - McDavid - Eberle
Pouliot - Draisaitl - Puljujaarvi
Maroon - RNH - Yakupov

OR one gets really smart, signs Vermette who is FAST and great on faceoffs, and:

Lucic - McDavid - Eberle
Pouliot - RNH - Drai
Maroon - Vermette - Puljujaarvi
Then A mix on the 4th line - Yakopov until he earns more ice. I don't like combos pencilling him in on a top 6 role considering he has PROVEN over and over again he cannot play a top 6 role.

 

[Homesick]

They're not paying Lucic to play on the 3rd line. He'll get every opportunity to play with McDavid and probably Eberle on the top line. I guess we'll see how things work out, but it would be a shame to be spending that much money on a 3rd line LW.

Lucic is essentially a better version of Maroon.

Lucic McDavid Eberle
Pouliot Nuge Yakupov?
Maroon Draisaitl Puljujarvi?
Hendricks Letestu Kassian

I'm guessing Puljujarvi and Yakupov will compete for 2nd or 3rd line spots.

I'd like to re-unite Yakupov with McDavid to try and get his confidence/value up and Eberle has played well with Pouliot/RNH before.
That 3rd line would be heavy but very inexperienced

 

[MessierII]

They're not paying Lucic to play on the 3rd line. He'll get every opportunity to play with McDavid and probably Eberle on the top line. I guess we'll see how things work out, but it would be a shame to be spending that much money on a 3rd line LW.

Lucic is essentially a better version of Maroon.

Lucic McDavid Eberle
Pouliot Nuge Yakupov?
Maroon Draisaitl Puljujarvi?
Hendricks Letestu Kassian

I'm guessing Puljujarvi and Yakupov will compete for 2nd or 3rd line spots.

If you consider Kessel a third line winger on the pens I guess this logic works. I don't care what line a player plays on as long as the line gels.

 

[VLU5]

I have a feeling that Pulju and Yakupov will become very good friends.

This summer is long.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I have a feeling that Pulju and Yakupov will become very good friends.

This summer is long.

I could see it, both seem to have that happy-go-lucky attitude.

Honestly to round out a McDavid/Pulju combo, Yakupov could be a really good fit (Pouliot too). Nail doesn't need to handle he puck to be effective, and he's capable of being a trigger man to two very good playmakers. (Basically a massive upgrade on the Yakupov-Roy-Purcell line that was also quite effective for similar reasons)


Yakupov-McDavid-Pulju
Lucic-Draisaitl-RNH/Pouliot

I could think of worse top 6's.

 

[Booster*]

I really see no harm in playing Lucic-McDavid-Pulju from the get go, it´s not like Oilers will win a SC this season, not even play-offs are sure, teach them line chemistry immediately and the Oilers glory days shall return soon... very soon

 

[Aerchon]

I really see no harm in playing Lucic-McDavid-Pulju from the get go, it´s not like Oilers will win a SC this season, not even play-offs are sure, teach them line chemistry immediately and the Oilers glory days shall return soon... very soon

I am one of the few that thinks McDavid will not and should not be facing top competition.

Leave him with Ebs and Maroon as the "second" line in terms of quality of competition and have Lucic with Nuge to do the heavy lifting.

It would be unfair to put Puli on that line in terms of competition. But would be a great opportunity for the kid as well. Playing with our two most experienced guys.

I hope to see Lucic RNH and Puli as a line for a good chunk of the season if Puli legitimately makes and stays on the team.