Player Discussion Jesse Puljujärvi | His Mouth Contain His Tongue Only When He Eats Pizza

[Barrsy]

So... lets say we drafted Johnny Gaudreau.

We bury him on the 3rd line and tell him to work on his defense? Add muscle and physicality... learn some better boardwork and grind.

If he can't elevate Strome and Khaira, he doesn't deserve more ice time.

Also, no PP time, and if he does, we give him limited looks as our front of net presence. If he can't cut it in a situation not tailored for his skills we take him off?


Am I really to believe this is how you develop Johnny Gaudreau?

What about Patrick Kane? Did he need to win board battles, understand defensive coverage, and learn a 200 foot game before being given ice time?

Thats a ridiculous analogy. They are hardly the same kind of players.
Maybe hes Lawson Crouse, Pavel Zacha,Dylan Strome, Michael Del Colle, Virtanen,Nickishken..etc
The lengths some will go to blame it on anybody but the player & his shortcomings know no bounds

 

[Burnt Biscuits]

Actually it was the opposite. He had a very tough time during the preseason and performance-wise (forgetting his past) he could've ended up to the AHL in the Oilers. However, he started the actual season great goal-wise.

After that there was a very difficult period, but the coaches were patient with him. At that time Laine was far from a ready player or the player he's at the moment, but Maurice had a very different way of developing him compared to Todd and Puljujarvi. Not always perfect, but very different anyway. Of course Laine's shot played a big part and thus he had earned some extra patience, too, which can't be forgotten.

That's a load of BS Laine had his teammates gushing from the word go with regards to his talent and his all world shot, even if it didn't manifest in pre-season point totals he was showing his teammates what he brought to the ice in his very first practice. There are also a bunch of comments/articles talking about how supremely confident Laine was in his abilities, he was better prepared to ride out trials and tribulations, but they didn't really come cause he's a stud who flexed his goal scoring ability early and often; whereas conversely our coaching staff has alluded to Pulju being both mentally fragile and immature.

Let's stop kidding ourselves if Pulju was a 40 goal talent straight out the box like Laine was, he'd of seen a lot more opportunity and the coaching staff is sure to notice that sort of thing in practice, that kind of talent doesn't exactly go under the radar, hell Laine's NHL numbers were significantly better than Pulju's AHL numbers or are we supposed to blame coaching there again. Laine has a top 3 shot in the NHL (amongst forwards) and that was clear to see for anyone with 2 eyeballs even in his rookie season. Laine is a ready made player, Pulju is a project player, a bunch of tools, but he hasn't organized them in a way or package to translate to consistent NHL success or even a clearly defined role.

 

[Aerchon]

This is over stated. Defensively there isn't as much difference between a Gagner and a Kane than people would think. Gagner didn't have elite D back sheltering him or a linemate like Toews. He NEVER had that here. He NEVER had sheltering. Really of any kind. 40 games into his career he was being a go to offensive weapon and playing with a rookie, Cogliano, and a career floater in Nilsson. This essentially was his tutelage. Heres the NHL kid, heres the keys, go out and have fun getting drilled into the middle of next year. I can't count the number of times in Gagners first few seasons that he was literally sent airborn. Kind of amazing he wasn't critically injured before he was.

While I agree with a lot of what you are saying, he certainly wasn't sheltered, there is a big gap between our basic evaluation of Gagner. Its an agree to disagree situation as I believe we have had this conversation before.

Kane is a winger. Gagner was used as a center. He absolutely was too slow a skater and thinker to be on the right side of the puck to the extent required as a center. He also was too slow/small/weak to backcheck, help break up cycles, win puck battles and clear the zone.

Not to exaggerate but he was a turn over machine through the nuetral zone when attempting to carry the puck and while extremely willing to battle had an abysmal success rate while doing so.

I think for me. I was a supporter of Gagner, but year after year of watching him take 2 steps forward and then 2 steps back eventually made me dislike the player fundamentally. I saw significant flaws in the way he played for long stretches.

Gagner has talent. Can dangle and snipe. At times did think the game well. But if there is one thing everyone should be able to agree on is that he is incredibly streaky. For me his bad outweighed the good primarily because of his usage. If the Oilers developed him as a middle 6 PP specialist winger with 2 linemates that had speed and defensive responsibility he would have had far more success.

 

[GameChanger]

That's a load of BS Laine had his teammates gushing from the word go with regards to his talent and his all world shot, even if it didn't manifest in pre-season point totals he was showing his teammates what he brought to the ice in his very first practice.

It's impolite to say I'm talking load of BS. I wonder why so many Jets fans were at least somewhat concerned before the start of the season. There's actually many pages like this one (along with quotes from this one page as I don't have time to go through more):

https://hfboards.mandatory.com/threads/hatrik-laine.2124921/page-15

I'm just going to say it, now that the PS is done: Patrick Laine has a ton of talent, but has been nothing special this TC. I have not been impressed with his acceleration--his first few steps-- although his top speed looks good, his stick handling is very good, and his defensive awareness and decision making are also good. In the NHL game, quickness and confidence are key, and Laine looks way less comfortable and quick than, say, Connor or Morrissey. He is much steadier on his feet than Scheifele was his first TC, but overall Scheif stood out much more as a rookie.

Totally agree. I have no problem admitting that I'm somewhat disappointed in his performance even though I was one of those that didn't have very high expectations to begin with. I'm happy with his defensive awareness and that it looks like he's focusing on that quite a bit. But he has a big adjustment period ahead of him. I have absolutely no problem with him working these things out in the AHL and building his confidence there.

He has lots to work on. More than I, personally, thought he would after playing in a men's league. His willingness to play defence is great. However, he seems to be struggling along the boards, and the speed and skill of forechecking is definitely resulting in turnovers. He is a big kid, but he is getting his lunch eaten all over the ice. He definitely has to add strength to his frame. He needs to start using his size better all over the ice. He needs to pick up his sense of urgency when he does get the puck. He doesn't have the speed, or space, to stick handle around far higher quality players he is seeing in the NHL. I am hoping he starts wanting the puck more. Not panicked, but he has not been as noticeable during the pre-season as recent high picks that have come out of junior. Just a reality.

* (reply) Good analysis and I echo your sentiments at the end. Not panicked but a bit more pessimistic than with all the hype at the draft.

* (another reply) Agree with you, I also have the same feelings about Connor. Next week when the wick gets lit and the game gets faster these guys are going to get exposed, 1st line AHL time can only help them. Still not worried about their long term outlook both will be A list NHLers.

He's playing along the boards on his backhand. It will take time. I thought they might try him at RW for this reason but it looks like they want him at LW for now.

Very good question. When I first saw Laine and Pulji play I was blown away by Pulji. Noticed him time and time again. The commentators kept talking about this Laine guy and I just hadn't noticed him. Liked Aho too. But I quickly found out that I was in the minority and I'll defer to people who follow it much more closely than I do. I wasn't a Laine fan (also didn't like his interview) and still don't see what everyone sees in him. Except his shot of course, it's off the charts. So, I'll put my opinion aside and defer to the experts but my own personal eye test has never been as impressed with him as many others have. Sure he'll be a very good player but I think some of the expectations need a bit of tempering.

Laine doesn't turn nineteen until next April for crying out loud. People should tone things down a bit.

Too much Myerson the PP. He has trouble using his teammates on general.


I am not comparing the players in any way and I emphasize I didn't start this and only brought these up because I wanted to prove it's not pure BS I'm talking about. I value Patrik Laine very highly and would not be surprised if he's the best goal scorer this season so I'm definitely only talking about the few preseason games!

 

[ThePhoenixx]

If Yamamoto doesn't break out this year is he another prospect ruined?

His size suggests that he will make the league in year 3 or 4 from his draft year.

 

[GameChanger]

Conceptually this is some of the difficulty I have with the Pulju can do no wrong posters.

As I mentioned most if not all Jets fans saw Laine's game in a very different light. I didn't mean to be selective in a bad way, as I genuinly thought the idea of the article was Laine is in the middle of adjusting to the NHL and not quite ready yet. Of course you are perfectly entitled to your opinion, I wish I was too.

I haven't seen one single Pulju can do no wrong poster here. If you see me as one I'm disappointed. Should I then see you as a Pulju can do no right poster?

 

[Drivesaitl]

As I mentioned most if not all Jets fans saw Laine's game in a very different light. I didn't mean to be selective in a bad way, as I genuinly thought the idea of the article was Laine is in the middle of adjusting to the NHL and not quite ready yet. Of course you are perfectly entitled to your opinion, I wish I was too.

I haven't seen one single Pulju can do no wrong poster here. If you see me as one I'm disappointed. Should I then see you as a Pulju can do no right poster?

Don't take it to heart. English is a limited language. There were no words that really fit. I was tempted to use \'Pulju backers\' but we all are really, because he's an Oiler player. I didn't know what phrase to use but you ARE selective.

You made a long post now saying what Jets posters were saying in the preseason. Hey at least you made the effort. But most posting on a message board, including mine or yours or any typical fan doesn't buy any of us a cup of coffee.

Again the article you cited contained the following;

That in the Calgary game Laine rang a brilliant shot off the goal post. That he setup several plays and looked good.

That in the Edmonton game he setup multiple cross ice chances and had some good looks.

My take on the article you cited was that the writer felt the offense was coming.

Anyway enough of this.

 

[Laineux]

The fundamental difference between Laine and Puljujärvi is that Laine arguably had the best shot in the entire NHL right from the get go. A lot can be forgiven when you're a threat to score every time you're on the ice. Pulju doesn't have any attribute that stands out exceptionally in the NHL so his overall game needs to be on a higher level.

 

[GameChanger]

The fundamental difference between Laine and Puljujärvi is that Laine arguably had the best shot in the entire NHL right from the get go. A lot can be forgiven when you're a threat to score every time you're on the ice. Pulju doesn't have any attribute that stands out exceptionally in the NHL so his overall game needs to be on a higher level.

That's right. Before the NHL Puljujarvi's combination of skills has been quite unique on its own, but there was no one single thing as Laine's shot, which is pretty unique in this world.

However, Jesse has a tremendous shot, too, and it almost gave him a flying start in the NHL. I am just amazed and disappointed the Oilers haven't really tried to utilize it ever since. Many fans don't know what they're missing, but some of us, who have followed him for years, feel a bit wistful as we know what it could very possibly be. I honestly feel there are tools waiting, but the toolbox isn't allowed to be opened. Now I'll leave this topic for now.

 

[GameChanger]

You made a long post now saying what Jets posters were saying in the preseason. Hey at least you made the effort. But most posting on a message board, including mine or yours or any typical fan doesn't buy any of us a cup of coffee.

I posted the link and wrote quotes because I was told I'm talking BS, which I don't like. I realize most things are matter of tastes, but sometimes there are cases where I simply feel I'm correct to at least some extent, and then I like to bring some proof. I was actually following Laine closely at that time (watched some of the games too) and knew fans were getting a bit worried. Fortunately it was a false alarm.

And yes I was selective on purpose, but honestly because I thought those lines were backing my point that he wasn't shining or anything like that in those games. Anyway yes, this is enough of this topic I agree

 

[Bryanbryoil]

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