When asked about how he feels about loosing Barrie, McDavid begins his answer with:
"And Jesse too. I've played with Jesse a long time, and it's sad to see him go".
I take back all my posts where I wondered whether Jesse and Connor didn't get along.
As fans and that applies to media as well, we see only the tip of the iceberg of team dynamics including player interactions and relationships. It's easy to jump this canyon sized void with idle speculation based on watching games and maybe on rare occasion seeing a negative interaction on the bench without context of a whole picture of the team dynamic.
These people live in close quarters together for 8-9 months of a year together extending to multiple years for a big chunk of them. There will always be disagreements with 'brothers' and not everyone will necessarily like one another and choose to hang out with down time.
A consistent theme we hear from new guys like E. Kane and Kostin is how welcoming the team is and credit extended to its leadership group. Puljujarvi has his flaws as a player and bares significant accountability for his sputtered development along with the Oilers past failed regime. But nice to see and hear McDavid's words on the human side of the business which requires tough decisions that override feelings'. We never get to the heart of the inner world of a pro team's player dynamics and to easily can slip into perceptions and innuendos (often fuelled by media who can also share an incomplete big picture).
Puljujarvi has now moved on to a new team and a new opportunity which will have comfort with long-time friends and a structured environment with an excellent coach. Will wish Jesse well to harness this incredible raw gifts and keep that wonderful spirit shining. Time to turn the page and opportunity for us all to put to rest hardened personal opinions about a big lug with good fortune to play pro hockey for a living.