Edmonton Oilers Should Bring Back Puljujarvi

Edmonton Oilers top prospect Jesse Puljujarvi has been a regular contributor with the Bakersfield Condors in the AHL over the past two months. If the Oilers make the playoffs, he should make his return to the NHL.

After scoring his first NHL goal in his first game, Jesse Puljujarvi had just seven assists in the next 27 games. On several occasions, he was a healthy scratch. The 2016 fourth overall pick has a bright future ahead of him, but he simply wasn’t ready to slot into the game day lineup.

Puljujarvi looked great at times on the attack with Connor McDavid but mostly found himself on the third line. He logged around 11 minutes a night, and became a regular on the bottom six. The Oilers assigned him to the Bakersfield Condors in January, a move that most Oilers fans believed was long overdue. Besides, he needed more time to develop.

Finding Success in the AHL

Edmonton Oilers

Since joining the Condors, Puljujarvi has regained offencive confidence and played major minutes on the top line and power play unit. He is the youngest player in the AHL and has seven goals and 16 points in 19 Condors games.

The 18-year-old winger registered a goal, an assist and seven shots on goal in a 3-1 win over the Stockton Heat Saturday. Puljujarvi is tied with Lander for the team-lead in points since Jan. 9.

The 6-foot-4, 208-pound Finland native has failed to register a point in just five of his 17 outings with the Condors. He’s also starting to use his excellent one-timer on a regular basis, which has provided a new-look for the team’s offence.

Return to Edmonton

While Edmonton does not need to recall Puljujarvi soon, the team could very well make the most of him if they make the playoffs. I also suspect Chiarelli wants to give Puljujarvi at least another five to 10 games in the AHL to see if his play drops off before he considers bringing him back to Edmonton. The trade deadline could also affect his call-up date.

With the Oilers in the market for a right winger, Puljujarvi might have to wait a little longer until Edmonton sees who they can get and where that player fits in their lineup. If Chiarelli does bring in one of Patrick Sharp, Radim Vrbata or Thomas Vanek as a rental, Puljujarvi likely won’t see Edmonton for a while. Nor will he slot back in on the top six.

And while that’s not the spot the Oilers want him in long-term, he will continue to gain experience as time goes on.