Oilers Sign Magnus Pääjärvi-Svensson
by Scott Reynolds on Jun 1, 2010 3:19 PM MDT
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"I want to be offensive in my style and I want to play in the offensive zone as much as possible."- Newest Oiler Magnus Pääjärvi-Svensson tells the Copper & Blue what Oiler fans desperately want to hear.
The Edmonton Oilers have signed Swedish forward Magnus Pääjärvi-Svensson to a three-year entry-level contract. Pääjärvi will be coming to training camp this fall and may well earn a spot with the Oilers. Thanks to the new transfer agreement with the Swedish Elite League, if he doesn't make the team Pääjärvi can play in either Sweden or the AHL for the upcoming season. Although the contract details haven't yet been released, I'm prepared to say this is great news for Oiler fans. Pääjärvi is coming off an incredible year in the Swedish Elite League in which he recorded 29 points in 49 games. He also scored nine points in nine games to go along with a +8 rating in the recent World Championships, helping Sweden to a bronze medal in the tournament. Earlier this year, Derek had the privilege of conducting an interview with Pääjärvi, which can be read here and Jonathan wrote a detailed analysis of the player in our Top 25 Under 25 series which can be read here. We also had a short interview with the newest Oiler today which can be read after the jump.
We'll be sure to have more on the signing when the contract details are out.
We contacted Pääjärvi shortly after the signing was announced and congratulated him on signing his contract. We also asked him what he knew about Edmonton:
Hey thanks! Actually, I dont know that much about Edmonton as a city but I'm sure I'm going find out. But I know as a hockey club they have a lot of tradition and great fans, and they won a lot with Gretzky and Messier. I'm very excited to come over!
Fans will get their first glimpse of the Swedish star at the Oilers' summer camp in July, as Pääjärvi confirmed his attendance. Though he could go to the AHL if he doesn't make the Oilers, it doesn't sound as if he has any plans to make a trip to Oklahoma City. From the linked interview above, we asked the speedy left winger who he would like to play with should he make the jump to Edmonton and what kind of players best complement his playing style:
I think Edmonton has a great group of forwards despite the tough season so I`d be glad to just play on a team with guys like Hemsky, Gagner, Penner etc. They are fantastic players! For the second question I´ll have to say offensive players. I want to be offensive in my style and I want to play in the offensive zone as much as possible.
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See the look on his face? That’s what I’m looking like, right now. (More or less.) Drafting the guy is one thing, getting his name on a contract quite another, and both should be celebrated.
Maybe it’s wrong to have such high expectations for a kid, but from this distance MPS looks more like a young Hemsky than a Riesen, Mikhnov, or Niinimaki. A first round pick with actual first line talent, and drive to match. His performance in his post-draft year was a nice steep ramp and he thrived. A very exciting prospect, with a very exciting style of play.
Finally, a Good Day to be an Oiler fan.
Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries
"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg
I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself, but I’m honestly pretty damn excited about MPS. I think it’s a friggen miracle we got him at 10th. From what I recall, he was ranked in the top 3 for a while and then dropped for some reason. I think that was a mistake by CSS scouts, personally. I think we got a real gem here, and of all our current prospects (including Eberle) I’m most excited about him. I think he’s the most NHL ready, even though he likely isn’t going to jump right in and light it up. But I think down the road he’ll be a pretty remarkable player and we’ll be looking back and laughing at how we was still available so late in the draft.
From what I understand, his defensive play has improved drastically, but I have to figure that still won’t be his strong point (especially with him being 100% focused on his offense in the interview). But I’m not worried about that at all.
Visit www.puttingonthefoil.com
…it doesn’t sound as if he has any plans to make a trip to Oklahoma City.
Well, that sucks.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
No it doesn’t. He plans to be here, and I think that’s awesome. No more of these low-expectation-having mofos.
Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries
"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg
by Bruce McCurdy on Jun 2, 2010 4:39 PM MDT up reply actions
Keep in mind that Mike probably thinks that it sucks from a “living in OKC” perspective.
by Scott Reynolds on Jun 2, 2010 5:15 PM MDT up reply actions
No offense
Scott is correct. I personally give two squirts about Edmonton (no offense) and their on-ice product but I have a vested interest in their OKC connection and any talent that will come through my hometown.
If we don't get our sauce, we ain't watching the game!
Name & Number?
Has anyone ever asked what his NHL name bar will read or what his jersy number will be? He seems to have varied both from what I can tell. Is that completely juvenile to ask, or perhaps some hockey taboo that I’m unaware of?
Always wanted a jersey with umlauts…
My guess is 91 and Paajarvi, no umlauts.
My guess on Hartikainen is 35 and if a veteran has it, 26.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Khabi will have dibs on 35 unless he’s in jail.
SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.
Well, Hartikainen will be in the AHL.
Oh! You’re being optimistic!
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
A veteran has 91.
Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries
"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg
by Bruce McCurdy on Jun 3, 2010 11:21 PM MDT up reply actions
He’s not under contract next year.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
FWIW – Just checked the Oilers online store; MPS is listed under customized jerseys as #21 Paajarvi-Svensson (no umlauts, sadly), Hartikainen is #42.
Ah, MPS is the next Weir. I expected no less. Other Oiler greats to wear #21 included Randy Gregg and Jason Smith.
42 has a much less storied history, although it is currently a placeholder for Ryan O’Marra. I wonder what’s up there, modern practice is to keep distinct numbers for each guy under contract.
Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries
"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg
by Bruce McCurdy on Jun 4, 2010 12:31 AM MDT up reply actions
Well, if they’re reserving 91 and giving away 42, I’m assuming that means they are re-signing Comrie and shipping O’Marra out.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Just checked again – Oilers shop lists #42 for BOTH O’Marra and Hartikainen, and apparently Linglet and Lander both get #36. Likely not a reliable source then. Curious, that.
Any chance if you guys get another chance to talk to MPS you can get some official clarity?
Gotta love the #21 though, that’s decent lineage.
He’s only ever worn 91 or 21 for Tre Kronor.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
21 is a big number for Tre Kronor, too.
Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries
"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg
by Bruce McCurdy on Jun 4, 2010 3:09 PM MDT up reply actions
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