Pavel Buchnevich
Drury and Laviolette Must Go
I'm referring to the fact that he has games where he looks invisible in a rather weak Finnish league and was awful in the Champions Hockey League. He also struggled to put up big points this season, beyond certain stretches, although he was definitely better towards the end of the season. You can contrast that to Patrik Laine who just about every game was making dangerous plays, and he lead his team to the Championship, a team with much less talent. Even though Laine got better later on like Puljujarvi, he was considerably better early on, and was still having a respectable season before he made improvements later on. Puljujarvi was a passenger on Karpat a lot of the time. I don't think his finishing skills are where they need to be to play a big scoring role in the NHL yet. He'll have to get quicker with his release on his shot, and if he can do that, I think he can become a really big threat as a perimeter goal scorer because he has a really hard shot. With the puck, I think he needs to make quicker decisions, whether thats a shot or pass. At times I really question his hockey sense, and how quickly he thinks the game. The NHL is a complete different level from Liiga, there's a lot less time and space. I just don't think he's as offensively ready for the NHL as a #3 pick should be. Usually there's a good chance a 3rd overall pick could start in the NHL. I don't think thats a fair question about Puljujarvi yet. I think he still needs a dominant season in Liiga before he's NHL ready.
Also, whether you think this kind of thing matters or not, Puljujarvi has barely made an improvement in his season to season stats from last season to this season. Most high picks are making big improvements from one season to next. Some people might say he's a much better player now than he was at this point last season, and I think he's definitely improved, but I question how much he's improved in his draft year compared to some other players.
Also, whether you think this kind of thing matters or not, Puljujarvi has barely made an improvement in his season to season stats from last season to this season. Most high picks are making big improvements from one season to next. Some people might say he's a much better player now than he was at this point last season, and I think he's definitely improved, but I question how much he's improved in his draft year compared to some other players.
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