‘I want to play a big role’: Jesse Puljujarvi has all the right words for new season with Edmonton Oilers

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This in from Finnish newspaper Ilta Sanomat, an interview with Edmonton forward Jesse Puljujarvi, where the big wing has all the right words about returning for another season with the Oilers:

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Translated by Google and an Oilers fan Marie Lonbergthis is what he says now:

On the upcoming season with the Oilers: “The plan is to go into the season with a full, solid mindset. I am striving for a better role and the plan is to give everything to the team. I want to play a big role.. …That’s the goal and that’s why I trained well all summer. Of course I want to be a good player in a good team.”

For the huge media attention that is given to him: “I have been written about for many years. Sometimes it went better, sometimes worse. All this time, I grew as a person and did my own thing, which is to play hockey and focus on everyday life… I try to get the best out of myself and at the same time enjoy the work. Yes, there will always be journalists and fans writing about things. I’m just trying to take care of myself.”

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As for the trade rumors? “Something always pops up somewhere, but I don’t follow them at all.”

My opinion

1. There has been a lot of talk about whether or not Puljujarvi wants to be in Edmonton this coming season. There is also talk of whether the Oilers want Puljujarvi back. Whatever the case, before Oilers CEO Ken Holland explores the trade market in June and July, and before Puljujarvi signs a new one-year, $3.0 million deal in late July, it’s clear that Puljujarvi is ready .

2. Of course, Puljujarvi must be ready. He gets $3.0 million. That’s a lot of money. The highest degree of professional excellence is demanded of Puljujarvi, as well as of all players. Not that this was ever a problem with Puljujarvi. His efforts on the ice have never been in question, although his confidence seemed to take a serious hit last spring in the playoffs, with his performance dropping significantly during that time.

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3. I see Puljujarvi as a top 6 winger based on his total output last season and even when his play dipped towards the end after being demoted a notch or two or three by injury and illness including COVID. When healthy, the big man brings brilliant forechecking, a strong presence at the front net, an unselfish attitude, good passing skills and decent defensive play. He’s still not a great shooter, or even a good one. But he can pick up and pass, and often sends Connor McDavid up for dangerous shots (spurred on by McDavid’s own brilliant decking and skating, of course).

4. As I see it, Puljujarvi remains the best candidate to play with McD in the Oil top line. He is a link player in that position, with Evander Kane being the enforcer and goalscorer and McD being McD. Work for you?

5. Will Puljujarvi be traded before the start of the season? That possibility remains. It seems likely that the Oilers will have to move one player or another to get under the NHL salary cap. Puljujarvi and fellow forward Warren Voegele remain the main candidates, although Holland has also made it clear he will now be patient and plans to enter the season with a 21-man roster rather than a full 23-man to reduce the overall cap hits.

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