:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67365784/1187753983.jpg.0.jpg)
Morning, folks!
It’s Labour Day monday here in Edmonton, which is typically a marquee weekend for the CFL and therefore the local EE Football Team.
However, the CFL has been scuppered for the year, so there is nothing going on right now. Sure, other teams are enjoying The House That Daryl (and millions of taxpayer dollars) Built and the road to the Stanley Cup, but we care not for them. So what’s there to talk about, you ask?
Well, how about Jesse Puljujarvi?
Specifically,
I don't spend a ton of time listening or paying attn to other markets but are other teams' local media typically this openly hostile to a 4OV pick still under team control at 22?
— CoppHall & Blueljujarvi (@CopperandBlue) September 7, 2020
What would prompt such a question? Check out these tweets from the local MSM from over the weekend:
Regarding Jesse Puljujarvi.
— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) September 5, 2020
It will come down to attitude deciding altitude!
Puljujarvi has talent.
He isn't going to get better playing another full season in Finland.
He needs to return to N.A. in 20-21 and be prepared to GRIND, and work his way up the line-up. pic.twitter.com/5rfoLjOsb4
Apparently many of you think if Puljujarvi returns he should be "handed" top line minutes with 97 right from the get-go...
— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) September 5, 2020
FYI...He has 17G in 139 NHL GP.
Successful players have relentless work ethic and grind.
IMO...JP can start on 3rd line and hopefully work his way up! https://t.co/ylWARxElOA
This one was particularly frustrating, given Zack Kassian’s path to 1RW. Keen observers will remember that Kassian was given permission to seek a trade last season — during the season, too, if you want to talk about distractions — and the Oilers couldn’t trade him. He was then rewarded with the best landing spot of his career, and a new deal worth twice the one they couldn’t trade one year before.
Based on the feedback I got on Jesse Puljujarvi some of you don’t understand the word “Grind”.
— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) September 7, 2020
It doesn’t mean you are “just” a 3rd/4th line “grinder”.
Crosby, McDavid, MacKinnon continuously work at their craft.
They grind.
Grind is what Leon Draisaitl did to become a Star! pic.twitter.com/lfPGFCgBrL
Again, recall that Leon Draisaitl didn’t find success in the NHL until he was recalled in November 2015 and put between Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle.
It’s not just Stauffer, either, though his might be the most concerning given his connection with the team. Here’s Matty:
Anybody who thinks Puljujarvi might be good fit with McDavid at this time is dreaming in technicolour and I don't care what analytics say. Jesse is a 3rd line NHL winger if he returns and he'll have to show he's better than that
— Jim Matheson (@jimmathesonnhl) September 4, 2020
Which, obviously, sparked some debate:
What don’t you fans of Jesse get. He has done little no matter what line he has been on. He should not be gifted anything. Look at Gurianov in Dallas. Third line winger and proving he can score there and may deserve a bump up next year https://t.co/KgEnEbtEy3
— Jim Matheson (@jimmathesonnhl) September 4, 2020
Jesse is big and can skate but he doesn’t get close enough to the net often enough to score goals that come in the NHL. When he learns that he will be better https://t.co/3NOnrq5eoz
— Jim Matheson (@jimmathesonnhl) September 4, 2020
It’s not just tweets, either:
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21861924/sep.7.png)
What do you even say to that?
Does anyone else here follow other markets closely? Is this a hockey thing, or an Edmonton thing?
Conference Finals Gambling Preview (Copper and Blue)
Trading Klefbom Would Be A Massive Mistake (Copper and Blue)
Hot Links: Friday, September 4 (Copper and Blue)
V-2 Schneider (Lowetide)
Monday Mailbag – Should The Oilers Trade Adam Larsson? (Oilersnation)
Five Former Oilers Including Jordan Eberle, Pat Maroon Will All Be Vying For Cup Finals Berth In Edmonton (Oilersnation)
Edmonton Oilers Leon Draisaitl Could Be Named NHL MVP During Cup Finals (Oilersnation)
Draft Q And A 2020 (Lowetide)
COVID-19’S Effect On The Edmonton Oilers (THW)
Let’s Keep The NHL Offseason Trades Going (Oilersnation)
Edmonton Oilers Looking For Two Goaltenders To Share Net Next Season (Sun)
Off-Season Targets: Brian Elliott (Oilers Rig)
Edmonton Oilers Loan Ryan McLeod To EV Zug Of The Swiss National League (Oilersnation)
Echoes Down The Canyon (Lowetide)
Is Max Domi A Good Fit For The Oilers? (Oilersnation)
Edmonton Oilers Are Still Paying For The Sins Of The Past (Journal)
Edmonton Oilers 3rd Line Center Search #2: Eric Haula (Because Oilers)
Off-Season Targets: Thomas Greiss (Oilers Rig)
Lowetide: The Oilers Could Find A World-Class Agitator In The Draft (Athletic)
Lowetide: What Are The Expectations Of Raphael Lavoie During His Time In Europe? (Athletic)