Noel Acciari?I think it's funny that people think a player like Pulju with no hockey IQ will pair well with arguably the smartest hockey player of this generation.
Columbus should have Reunited Laine and the Pul-Jarvi
“Reunited and it feels so good” he could have at least carried his gear and stroked Laines ego in his own Language…
Given the surgery he's trying to come back from, very few succeed. Kane is like the only one currently playing after getting one and he's only 2 games in. Backstrom is off because of his and likely never to play again, Jovanovski, Kesler, Hagelin (eye complications but he had 4 hip surgeries and had another one the same time his eye injury), etc.Ehhh…. Okay fine. No harm.
He's a PTO.At minimum salary he is clearly an asset. If he actually play decent defense and can be a netfront prescence on PP2, its a win-win. If he by any luck starts to play even decent offensively, he is a major win at 800k.
You know he had hip-surgery on BOTH hips and still wonder why he didnt manage to succeed? Maybe he was injured and didnt have the surgery for fun? Fun stuff...14pts in 58 games with the Oilers before going to Carolina and putting up 2 assists in 17 games.
You still dont get that this is a nice gamble for the pens? If Puljujärvi busts, its about 400k against the cap. If he has something of value, its a win at league minimum. It`s a no-brainer for pens.Puljujarvi might play a few games with WBS and then just go back to Europe to play less games and still keep playing but at the NHL level, this is a nothing move.
I'm still kind of surprised nobody in the league could carve out a little utility player depth role for Jesper Boqvist. He's not what you really want in your bottom-6 in terms of style of play, build, etc. But he's a plenty useful depth filler piece who can slide around the lineup a bit in different roles to cover for injuries and at least give you some serviceable NHL caliber minutes. Plus bringing some speed (which is something the Penguins could clearly use a bit more of these days).
But giving up even "peanuts" for depth players really isn't Dubas style. He wants to moneypuck the daylights out of those spots with wild shots in the dark like this PTO. Puljujarvi isn't and hasn't ever really been effective in an actual depth role. He's had underwhelming stints elevated up the lineup, but that's about it. Boqvist is a much better player in every single regard, other than tallness.
Your also comparing a 25 year old to 30+ year olds with miles. Pretty big difference there.Given the surgery he's trying to come back from, very few succeed. Kane is like the only one currently playing after getting one and he's only 2 games in. Backstrom is off because of his and likely never to play again, Jovanovski, Kesler, Hagelin (eye complications but he had 4 hip surgeries and had another one the same time his eye injury), etc.
Puljujarvi might play a few games with WBS and then just go back to Europe to play less games and still keep playing but at the NHL level, this is a nothing move.
Also why pick the Penguins? Did he and his agent do the kind of research Mike Sullivan does about new players? aka nothing? Like imagine picking the worst situation for players like him to come and get a shot, Sullivan barely plays the young players we do have that do well in their short time up, he punishes them for doing well and rewards plugs like Harkins.
This is his second double hip surgery in the past 3 years. He came out of the first one well, but Puljujarvi's struggles seem to be far beyond physical. He's shown stretches of very good play, but his play seems to be largely inconsistent and reliant on his confidence level which he struggles to maintain at the level he needs.You know he had hip-surgery on BOTH hips and still wonder why he didnt manage to succeed? Maybe he was injured and didnt have the surgery for fun? Fun stuff...
Free advice - Thinking helps!
This guy isn't an NHL player.
I know it's just a PTO for PIT, and I know there's some injured forwards off their normal full roster. But, to be polite, Puljujarvi doesn't deserve another shot.
There's players stuck in the AHL who would do anything for a shot in the show. Id rather hear that PIT is going to try and find another 30 year old AHL guy like Brodzinski (who is playng well for NYR right now).
Puljujarvi has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he doesn't belong. Give someone else that chance.
Stupid take.
Separate the draft position from the player. He can absolutely play in this league.