:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62391256/usa_today_11320451.0.jpg)
The #Oilers have recalled forward Jesse Puljujarvi from the @Condors. pic.twitter.com/aZRJNh5cZq
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) November 24, 2018
After being sent down to the AHL two weeks ago, Jesse Puljujarvi put up 2 goals and 2 assists in four games with the Condors.
By most accounts he was a man among boys down there, and has shown the Oilers brass enough to justify giving him another shot in the NHL.
Given the lines, I’d suspect he quickly ends up on the Ryan Nugent-Hopkins line. Currently Ryan Spooner is playing there, and between you and me, I think I’ve seen just about enough of that. If he can translate his AHL success into NHL success while playing with better players, this could provide a good boost for the club.
The most important aspect of this is going to be working under Ken Hitchcock. Ken is a guy who puts a lot of emphasis into defense, and works well with individual players to help them understand the goals he puts forth. With any luck, this will be a tremendous improvement for the young player, and having less offensive structure will likely translate into a better offensive game.
It’s unclear if he’ll be in the lineup for tomorrow’s game in Los Angelas against the Kings, but if not, he’ll be there shortly thereafter.
Update:
Thoughts from the coach:
Hitchcock on Puljujarvi: “I wanted responsibility for his development. I didn’t just want to be watching him play in AHL. I feel this is type of player we need to win in the Western Confernce. I asked Peter if he’d bring him up for practice today.”
— Jack Michaels (@EdmontonJack) November 24, 2018
Talbot starts tomorrow.
Ken Hitchcock wanted Puljujarvi up with the Oilers, asked Peter Chiarelli to consider bringing him up right away. Hitchcock feels like perhaps Puljujarvi has shown the NHL “too much respect.” pic.twitter.com/qk5upUAQ2b
— Jack Michaels (@EdmontonJack) November 24, 2018