took him few games to get one in the AHL
(5th game)
Love the pbp
took him few games to get one in the AHL
(5th game)
Stubborn player who won't adjust his game, coaches have been trying to get him to play more like a grinder and that is where the core of his skill set lies, forechecking, bulling people over with his size & speed, and banging in loose pucks from in tight.
Pulju wants to play like Laine, but his shot consistency isn't there to pull it off and his offensive awareness isn't high enough to find the quiet areas consistently.
Then he'd get into the offensive zone and lose the puck due to some brain fart play. He just doesn't process the play effectively or fast enough in the NHL. Nice kid, but stubborn. Too many NHL coaches tried to get him to play to his strengths at that level, but he just wouldn't listen. Hell, he wouldn't even take his English lessons seriously so still struggled after 5 seasons.Agree with all of the above with one exception. I'm not sure if he was being stubborn, or if (despite being huge) he's just not cut out for the role... he seemed... frightened of contact or pain. Maybe it was his hips, or maybe he's just not used to playing against guys as big as him, or maybe a lack of man-strength, but despite occasionally destroying guys with reverse hits... he seemed genuinely offended when he'd get hit or when he'd hit and people took exception.
I'll also add one positive... when he was on, he was an absolute monster defensively in the neutral zone... his defensive skills between the blue lines were awesome, breaking up so many plays and going the other way. It was really quite impressive.
JPs stats are fine for a guy trying to work his way back to being a regular NHLer. The more important aspect of his game that he needs to focus on is what he's doing away from pucks. If he's playing for Pittsburgh, he's probably playing on a depth line without a ton of support.View attachment 811678
I'll always cheer for JP but man is it going rough for him! The AHL stats seem encouraging but here is Gagner's after coming off hip surgery himself
View attachment 811679
He's a 4th liner who is potentially a healthy scratch now with Perry joining the team.
Would be pretty surprised if the Pens don't sign him to a contract at this point.10 games in AHL and no one has him in nhl yet lol
View attachment 811678
I'll always cheer for JP but man is it going rough for him! The AHL stats seem encouraging but here is Gagner's after coming off hip surgery himself
View attachment 811679
He's a 4th liner who is potentially a healthy scratch now with Perry joining the team.
White and Harkins need to GTFOHe can't be worse than Colin White.
He's developed some chemistry with Sam Poulin, one of the only prospects the Pens have, during this stint in the AHL.I've got zero doubt that Jesse is an NHL player, the only question is to what degree? I see him as 2nd/3rd line winger, I see his high end as a (30/30 player), can play in every situation. I see his low end as a (15/15 player), kills penalties, energy player. He's so big, and has all the physical tools. I'm cheering for the guy, I was sad to see that it didn't work out in Edmonton, I do feel that he will have a solid NHL career when it's all said and done.