Player Discussion Jesse Puljujarvi Part 11: Solid Return Season Completed, How Does Next Season Go For the Big Finn?

[Mcnotloilersfan]

Honestly if next year we get placed in a position of choosing between him and Yamamoto, it is currently a no Brainer.

A love the personality. He's way bigger, he's faster, better shot, better defensively, more skill. I really hope we can keep this player in our core and he continues to grow

 

[elmaco]

Seriously, how can anybody not like this kid?

Theres plenty, suddenly they stopped talking though after he started to perform. What a surprise.

 

[Kyyrii]

Have to admire how much better Jesse's English is. Finally one can see Jesse's sense of humor during the interviews. He is so much confident now and it shows. Preseason or not but soon we are in the situation where everything under 0.5-0.6 PPG for Jesse is huge letdown. Can we start the season please?

 

[Snipes45]

Honestly if next year we get placed in a position of choosing between him and Yamamoto, it is currently a no Brainer.

A love the personality. He's way bigger, he's faster, better shot, better defensively, more skill. I really hope we can keep this player in our core and he continues to grow

I think it will be a no brainer from today onwards

 

[nabob]

Theres plenty, suddenly they stopped talking though after he started to perform. What a surprise.

Don’t worry, they’ll be back anytime he bumps into a teammate or goes a couple games without a point/goal. Same thing happened last year.

I do have to give credit to the number of posters who gave Jesse a chance when he came back and are cheering for him.

 

[TheNumber4]

This probably isn’t in the cards but if the Oilers could find a way to extend him now that would be a huge win.

I think Pulju is a prime candidate for an offer sheet…. Although pretty much all the league is sleeping on this guy right now. Another year next to McDavid and it won’t be the case.

 

[Zub]

So Bison King huh

 

[bellagiobob]

I like that he took boxing lessons this summer. A couple of scraps and he’ll get a bit more room in front of the net.

 

[snipes]

So Bison King huh

 

[Rengorlex]

Holland should extend him 8 years as soon as possible.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

Holland should extend him 8 years as soon as possible.

8 x $5 million right now!

 

[Ninety7]

Love this guy and so happy he’s doing well.

 

[LaGu]

Don’t worry, they’ll be back anytime he bumps into a teammate or goes a couple games without a point/goal. Same thing happened last year.

I do have to give credit to the number of posters who gave Jesse a chance when he came back and are cheering for him.

I never thought he would be back in this way. Can't say I was that down on him, but I was engaged in discussion against some posters being very much pro-Pulju some years ago (pts/60 argument). I was hoping for the best, but realistically not expecting anymore than some years as a 3rd liner and then back to Fin/Swe/KHL a la Paajarvi. Pretty cool to see this kid exceeding my expectations to this degree. I definitely cheer for him now!

 

[HockeyHistorian]

At times like these, old Pulju die-hards like me can just sit back and enjoy. I only wish I could find a recording of the game somewhere.

 

[urho]

It's kinda difficult to not be excited about his play right now. Yes, it's only a preseason. And yes, a lot chances in the game when the regular season starts. But there are also some fundamentals in this game of hockey that work all the time. And those fundamentals in Jesse's game are awesome right now. He's bigger and faster than ever but what I like best is his play without a puck. Compared to last season he seems to get far more chances. That's because he plays himself open much better than last year. He himself said that he's been watching his games last season and I'd say he's learned something!

 

[Kaptah2]

Told ya!

 

[Kiekura]

So freaking happy for Pulju that he is where he is now. Didn't expect him to come back and be this good, but he did. Also good for Oilers that they had patience and gave him chance.

 

[Drivesaitl]

It's always hard to compare young players who are taking clear steps with older ones, but I guess all we can do is look back. Hyman's and Pulju's /60 stats from last year are pretty close, especially the goals/60 (Pulju 1.082, Hyman 1.081). But I do understand what you're saying, hopefully Pulju takes another step and is seen as the 2nd best player in this line after a while

As for Nuge and Pulju things get more complicated. Nuge got almost four times more PP time but their points/60 were almost similar (Nuge 1.944, Pulju 1.803) and despite the vastly lower PP usage Pulju's goals/60 was a bit higher (Pulju 1.082, Nuge 0.889). I'm pretty sure with Nuge's PP time Pulju would be pretty clearly ahead.

BUT I'm not saying who's better and who's not, I just don't think it's clear Pulju would be the 3rd best player in the 2nd line. I also expect Pulju to take more new steps during the season.

Pulju is a more impactful player than either Nuge or Hyman, his ceiling is higher, particularly his goal scoring ceiling. Nice to see him realizing his potential and getting untracked quickly. He was a valuable player to the team last season and he's picking up where he left off.

This is unconnected but he's very interested in exploring this area where he plays hockey and seeing the sights and where he's playing hockey and spending a lot of his time. Him going fishing locally, exploring river valley, going to the Mountains, going to Elk Island, its obvious he's now making the most of being here, having joy in being here, and an important part of that is embracing where you live as much as where you play, if that makes any sense. He's comfortable here now on and off the ice. Even getting a dog, an unconditional pal to love, and a relationship, you need those when things aren't going as well.

To his credit Pulju promotes Edmonton more than any player I've seen lately. Kudos for him for that, and his appreciation is so genuine. He gets what this province and area is. Not many players do.

 

[CupofOil]

Holland should extend him 8 years as soon as possible.

I think so too but I don't see any way Pulju does that. I'm becoming more and more convinced that he's going to have a huge year and cash in big time which will be good and bad but really good for him after all his struggles to get to this point.

I can foresee 25 goals, 60+ points for him especially if he gets some PP time which I expect him to get. His confidence is rising quicker than McDavid skates up and down the ice and he's just scratching the surface of what he could be. I can't believe I'm saying that compared to where he was just a calendar year ago.

 

[Aceboogie]

Favourite oiler by far

And once he starts getting the recognition he deserves for his defensive play, hes going to be pretty hyped by fans league wide

 

[Figgy44]

The random parallels/coincidences between the Alberta franchises are absolutely bonkers at times. Like when both signed JJ, got their Kris crossed etc.

Pulujarvi absolutely deserves and earned the NHL level nickname Bison.

The Flames have a prospect also nicknamed "Bison" in Coronato.
‘Bison’ Matthew Coronato rams his way up NHL draft lists - TSN.ca

What the heck are the odds of such a coincidence that two young players for Alberta teams end up with the same uncommon nickname?

 

[94 Oil Drops]

I once thought that under no circumstances I would change my username. However, if JP gets 70 points this year, I'll change it to "13 Bison."

 

[onetweasy]

Honestly if next year we get placed in a position of choosing between him and Yamamoto, it is currently a no Brainer.

A love the personality. He's way bigger, he's faster, better shot, better defensively, more skill. I really hope we can keep this player in our core and he continues to grow

For me - it has never been close between Yamo and Pulju.....that said I am just not a huge Yamo fan. I just do not see a player who should be riding shotgun with Drai in the top 6.....hope I am wrong.

Pulju - the sky is the limit. Like you stated he has a lot of tools!

 

[Oilhawks]

Pulju is a more impactful player than either Nuge or Hyman, his ceiling is higher, particularly his goal scoring ceiling. Nice to see him realizing his potential and getting untracked quickly. He was a valuable player to the team last season and he's picking up where he left off.

This is unconnected but he's very interested in exploring this area where he plays hockey and seeing the sights and where he's playing hockey and spending a lot of his time. Him going fishing locally, exploring river valley, going to the Mountains, going to Elk Island, its obvious he's now making the most of being here, having joy in being here, and an important part of that is embracing where you live as much as where you play, if that makes any sense. He's comfortable here now on and off the ice. Even getting a dog, an unconditional pal to love, and a relationship, you need those when things aren't going as well.

To his credit Pulju promotes Edmonton more than any player I've seen lately. Kudos for him for that, and his appreciation is so genuine. He gets what this province and area is. Not many players do.

I don’t know much about where he’s from (didn’t he grow up in northern Finland?), but I wonder if he sees a bit of home in Northern Alberta. It’s awesome to see him so happy with the locale, and like you said, promoting it more than any other player.

 

[LTIR]

They didn't bring in Hyman at top dollar not to play him to his strengths. Zach Hyman is the best net front presence the Oilers have had since Ryan Smyth. That is the one position that needs filling on the power play. Zach Hyman will not falter on the power play. Puljujarvi will get power play minutes but he is the second option.

Hyman isn't the best net front presence since Smyth and Pulju might be just as good if not better.