That would be the 3rd line for the Oilers. Drai-Pulju would have crazy mismatches on the 3rd line. Pulju is coming into a perfect situation. This is Connor McDavids team. Pulju does not need to be a saviour, we'll do what is right for him, day by day.
Eventually Pulju will be with McDavid, but there is no rush or expectation. He's coming into a comfortable environment, he has a long future with the Oilers. Can't wait for Pulju to move to Alberta.
It is good thing that Pulju comes to a team, that isn't entirely dependant on him. I am almost certain that part of his lack of production when last season started, is the huge pressure Pulju set to himself. He had to prove that he earns his spot in first line, that he can play in a big role in men's league at age 17. He had to prove that he can be defensively responsible, score goals and be a good complete player. Which is insane, because you are just 17 and starting your first full season with men... But that's our Pulju, always setting huge goals for himself. When he finally, after wjc, figured which kind of a player he wants to be (Malkin, from Jesse's mouth), he started to play much better. He also got much more confidence, because he started to found the net more. He did notice that things which have worked against kids, do work against adults too. Hence almost PPG production all the way to play-offs.
And yes, Jesse has also ripped competition in every age group he has played in. Years younger than majority of the players. Actually I don't even know when was the last time, that Jesse has played more than couple of playes with boys same age than him. This April was first time since Pohjola year (15 yo) when Jesse played in a tournament, where his age group is the oldest.
So, now to the production of Jesse:
2011-12
Kärpät U16 Qualification Series 7 g 5+2
Kärpät U16 23 g 10+24
Kärpät U16 PO's 8g 4+6
(This is the season when Jesse moved alone to Oulu. He was 13 whole season.)
2012-13
Kärpät U16 Q 1 g 0+2
Kärpät U16 8 g 12+8
Kärpät U18 42 g 31+20
Kärpät U16 PO's 11 g 15+9
Kärpät U18 PO's 3 g 0+1
(He was 14 whole season.)
2013-14
Kärpät U16 1 g 2+3
Kärpät U18 8 g 7+7
Kärpät U20 18 g 12+11
Kärpät U16 PO's 4g 4+3
Kärpät U20 PO's 12 g 7+0
Finland U17 7 g 4+4
(He was 15 whole season. He also started his season in November because he broke his femur during pre-season.)
2014-15
Kärpät U20 11 g 12+6
Kärpät FEL 21 g 4+7
Hokki Div 1 15 g 8+5
Kärpät U20 PO's 5g 2+1
Hokki PO's 3 g 0+1
Kärpät Champions HL 3 g 0+0
Finland U18 Ivan Hlinka 4g 3+2
WJC18 7 g 2+5
Finland U18 16g 6+7
WJC20 5 g 0+0
Finland U20 13 g 3+5
(He was 16 whole season. Made his first assist in his first FEL game, made his first goal in his third FEL game. Youngest Kärppä player ever to made it to the team.)
2015-16
Kärpät FEL 50 g 13+15 (He did step up his game after wjc, just like Teräväinen and Rantanen before him: 19 g 8+8)
Kärpät PO's 10 g 4+5
Kärpät Champions HL 10 g 0+2
WJC18 4 g 5+2
WJC20 7 g 5+12
Finland U20 15 g 9+14
(He was 17 whole season. He did strugle at the beginning of the season. He did get hurt early March, played through PO's with injured knee and shoulder and in U18's with multiple knacks.)
Basically he was sniper when he was younger. He has come more complete player during those two years in Kärpät men's team. And I also agree, that Kärpät playing style doesn't compliment Jesse. His style of play is much more NA style than normal Finnish hockey prospects has have during years. The scoring ability is there, it just has been faded because Kärpät do require more D orientated game than in juniors or mainly in every other FEL team.