Jury still out on big Oilers rookie
JESSE PULJUJARVI: Edmonton plans to keep No. 4 pick around — for now — and see how he adjusts to NHL
When you ask teenager Jesse Puljujarvi if he feels like he’s an NHLer, he says, “Yes, of course.”
When you ask the older, wiser coach Todd McLellan, he says, “Yes, as of today.”
Puljujarvi’s command of the English language is minimal, less than his command of the more claustrophobic North American rinks, so something may have been lost in translation with the question because the jury’s still out with the people making the lineup calls.
He’s only 18 and he’ll start the season on the Edmonton Oilers’ 23-man roster because he was the fourth name called at the June draft, plus he’s obviously got high-end skill and there’s no rush to send him to the American Hockey League.
For today, Puljujarvi, a man with a 6-foot-4, 208-pound frame, but very much a newbie in terms of grasping the intricacies of the NHL game, looks like he’ll be in the opening night lineup at right wing with Patrick Maroon on the left and a centre to be named later.
His camp was average (one goal, no assists, nine shots). He’ll be the third youngest NHLer behind defenceman Mikhail Sergachev in Montreal (No. 9 pick) and forward Pierre-Luc Dubois (No. 3 pick by Columbus).
Puljujarvi has a wide skating base, but gets around the ice well. It’s getting into the holes and making plays that McLellan wants to see. Also, coaches like a semblance of defensive awareness, because teams feast on young mistakes.
“He’s had some really good days with us and he’s had some average ones. But with an 18-year-old, that’s how it usually goes,” said McLellan, aware Puljujarvi can play nine NHL games, but a 10th would start the first year of his entry level contact.
“We weren’t too concerned with Connor (McDavid). With Jesse we are, but we have time to look at him. If it’s not going right for us and for Jesse, he can go to the American league. Jesse doesn’t have to go back to junior (because he played in a pro league in Finland last year). We’re trying to grow him with us.
“The coach behind the bench is worried about wins, but the NHL is a development league because it’s so young. You have to be prepared to keep young players and work with them. It has to be the proper environment, though, in terms of ice time and the right linemates. We don’t want to turn a potential goal-scorer into a grinding, shot-blocking tough guy. That’s not what Jesse’s here for.”
Puljujarvi says he’s happy with his camp. He doesn’t want any part of the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors.
“It’s been good. Six games, good ice time,” Puljujarvi said. “This league ... very strong speed. The difference between Finland and here? I don’t think it’s so big a difference. The rinks are smaller. Of course, the players are checking you quicker.”
Puljujarvi, the best player in the last world junior championship, hasn’t wowed anybody.
“Jesse’s become more aggressive, he’s fitting better in game and practice situations. He’s been around the puck a lot more. He had some turnovers against Vancouver (Saturday), which he and we weren’t very happy with, but that’s part of the learning process,” McLellan said. “NHL players bait you sometimes with open passing lanes, then take them away.”
Drake Caggiula, a 22-year-old rookie who has made the team either at third-line centre or the wing, has had a stronger camp.
“It’s the age and the package — the smart, quick, darting player. The mature 22-year-old versus the bigger 18-year-old. When it’s all said and done, Jesse at 21 or 22 could be a specimen and moving around pretty good. The smaller player at 24 is still going to be the smaller player,” McLellan said.
“We’ll see where we are 10 games from now. Can the smaller package get it done? Can the bigger package accelerate in terms of development, get his body moving more?” McLellan has options and holes. “It’s like Christmas … you don’t always get what you want,” he said.
“There isn’t a team in the league that lives in a perfect world. You pay the piper in one area and get exactly what you want and you rob from Peter to pay Paul sometimes.”