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Edmonton Oilers: Puljujarvi, McLellan Discuss NHL Potential

By Sammi Silber

Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Jesse Puljujarvi puts on a team jersey after being selected as the number four overall draft pick by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Jesse Puljujarvi puts on a team jersey after being selected as the number four overall draft pick by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Edmonton Oilers were ecstatic when Finnish winger Jesse Puljujarvi fell to fourth-overall. Knowing they could not take a pass on him, and General Manager Peter Chiarelli reportedly called off a three-way deal they had with the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Calgary Flames to draft him.

Puljujarvi could not participate in the Oilers Development Camp in Jasper, as he continues to recover from a knee injury. However, the 18-year-old is excited to be in Edmonton, and is ready to take the next step forward in his career.

“I like Edmonton, and I’m very excited to go there, and I’m very happy now,” Puljujarvi told reporters as a part of Oilers Day on PHT.

When asked if he wanted to play with Connor McDavid, he said, “maybe yes, I want to play with him, and very nice,” and without skipping a beat, he answered the question of whether or not he is ready to play in the NHL with a simple, “yeah, of course.”

Puljujarvi is a special kind of winger. He has incredible hands and a great hockey IQ, but is also a winger who is more of a playmaker and carry a line. The 6-foot-3, 203-pound Finn can also bring a lot of physicality, and when he shoots the puck, he is able to unleash an accurate shot. Puljujarvi’s stickhandling, reach and puck-possession is another plus, and factor that in with his speed, and you have a dynamic winger who can make it big in the NHL.

The question does rise though: with Edmonton notorious for the rushed development of prospects, which then goes on to ruin them, is Puljujarvi ready?

In the end, I believe he will make an easy transition to the NHL. He has the size to brace himself for the bigger, faster NHL, and his speed, skill and ability. Plus, the Oilers could benefit from him, and if he was going to go third-overall, there is no reason to be hesitant of his ability. Puljujarvi knows how to bring physicality, play a strong, two-way game and look after the puck.

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Chiarelli had a strong summary of the young winger after the draft.

“I like his big, strong stride,” Chiarelli told the Edmonton Journal. “He protects the puck very well. He shoots in traffic, and he can make plays, too. You don’t accomplish what he’s accomplished at the men’s level and at the international level without being a real good player. He’s obviously a real good player, but he does all this stuff and he’s a big, strong body, which I like.”

Though Chiarelli sees Puljujarvi as a stable, big player, one that could be ready to go straight to the big leagues, Head Coach Todd McLellan believes that it is up to Puljujarvi himself when he will be ready for the NHL.

“Jesse will dictate his entry into the league and the pace of it,” McLellan told Postmedia. “He’s highly skilled and he’s played against men in a pro league back in Finland. Jesse’s play (in Finland) gives him a head start, but we’ll see how it turns out. There’s years where you count on things and they don’t get done. In other years, there’s surprises.”

Next: Edmonton Oilers: Looking at Letestu's Impact

While it is clear that the Oilers could use the services of Puljujarvi and benefit from his offesnive ability, Edmonton will likely play the situation by ear, evaluating him at training camp and seeing how he performs at training camp. Perhaps, even if he looks ready, the Oilers will make him transition in the AHL first.

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