Those 2 together are a nightmare for opposing defences trying to break the puck out. They both close on you so fast and Jesse's long reach combined with his speed seems to surprise a lot of Dmen. One little mistake and you're turning the puck over to those two. Both are really good at stripping pucks and getting their sticks in passing lanes. I think thats why Lucic is looking like a great complement on that line. Their speed is forcing defenders to panic and is allowing Lucic to throw some heavy hits. There's been a few over the last stretch where defenders are panicking on the JP+CM forecheck and they don't even see Lucic and get flattened.
I have always enjoyed watching Pulju more than Laine just because Pulju plays such an active game. Especially during the 2016 WJC he was all around the ice wreaking havoc. He was the first guy on the rush and first guy backchecking, often helping Aho in the own zone. He does the same with McDavid now. Often Pulju is back in the defensive zone before McDavid and takes the center's duties until McDavid arrives. This conserves McDavid's energy which he needs to blow past the defense. I just love watching him play. Just wish we could see him on the PP banging in those onetimers with his 100mph slapper.
I don't think Debrincat would be the best fit.If one day one Alex DeBrincat would become an Oiler
what DeBrincat-McDavid-Puljujärvi line could do together?
- all 3 would score 50 and have 100+ points?
I was right there with you. I never doubted the end product on this kid, I just figured it might take him a bit longer to get there. As of now he's well above my expectations for him for this year after training camp. I already knew he was a good 2-way player and that he could one-time the puck and has a lethal wrister, but whats more encouraging is how well he's using his big body, frame, and reach advantage to score goals. He's starting to learn how to use body position on the ice to out muscle guys and he's only going to get more and more dominant as he gets older and stronger in that regard.
Yup, they're going to be a treat to watch. You already see Puljujarvi carry the puck through the neutral zone and gain the O-zone with ease, and every so often he turns on the jets and just blows by a defender. As he gets more confident I think you'll see him take the puck wide with speed and protect it while driving the net a lot like Wheeler does. Just need him on that top PP unit on the left circle/point and I think his game will take off to a point that no one will be able to question his ability ever again.
Um. Now is the best time for him to play on the Oilers and learn the NHL game, because your team sucks ass and isn't going anywhere.
He has shown that he can play in the NHL. No need to send him down. Bakersfield is not doing any better than the Oilers. There's no one there.
Yeah he is young and it's too soon to judge him, but I don't really get this "no one else has looked either" argument that's used to defend bad performances (not only in Pulju's case). Arizona sucks even more than Oilers and Keller is still looking really good.
