PTO: [PIT] F Jesse Puljujarvi signs PTO with the Penguins

[andora]

took him few games to get one in the AHL
(5th game)

Love the pbp

 

[bucks_oil]

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.

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.

 

[McBooya42]

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.

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.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

another 1+1 game (+3)

 

[Carl33]

NHL contract by march 08?

 

[Czechboy]

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

He's a 4th liner who is potentially a healthy scratch now with Perry joining the team.

 

[belair]

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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

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He's a 4th liner who is potentially a healthy scratch now with Perry joining the team.

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.

Jesse's doing what is necessary to salvage his career at this point. He swallowed his pride, took an AHL deal from a team willing to give him a shot. And I could see him ending up with a contract by the deadline and a possible extension if he keeps it up.

If only someone suggested Pittsburgh as a possible destination earlier this year...

 

[joestevens29]

10 games in AHL and no one has him in nhl yet lol

 

[Chet Manley]

He's still eligible to sign with any NHL team?

 

[Turin]

10 games in AHL and no one has him in nhl yet lol

Would be pretty surprised if the Pens don't sign him to a contract at this point.

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

This guy be like herpes

 

[deakka]

pens have a 9 day break now.
Wouldnbt surprise me if he gets a few more AHL games and then gets signed before Pittsburghs next game

 

[Wry n Ginger]

Love the perseverance. Good luck!

 

[summer tooth]

It's great that he always has a smile on his face even when going thru tough times -- I suspect he'll be smiling even more after his dominance in the AHL / possibility of coming back to the NHL.

 

[Darren McCord]

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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

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He's a 4th liner who is potentially a healthy scratch now with Perry joining the team.

Ok talk about just pulling from a small sample size. So one player took longer to come back then another.

JP in his last 7gp - 4g 4a 8pts +9

He has been playing really well. It was always going to be a journey back but he has been progressing well.

 

[orby]

He can't be worse than Colin White.

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

He can't be worse than Colin White.

White and Harkins need to GTFO
Pool and Poulin should be called up and given a look

 

[unicornBLOOD]

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.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

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.

He's developed some chemistry with Sam Poulin, one of the only prospects the Pens have, during this stint in the AHL.

There are some of us who are hoping that after the Pens' bye week and the all-star break here that they'll call up Poulin and sign Puljujarvi to an NHL contract with the goal of playing them both on either side of Lars Eller on the third line. It'd be a responsible line that would play pretty physical and be around the net quite a bit in the offensive zone.

The more optimistic fans are hoping that Puljujarvi could find a fit with Malkin, too. It's been a struggle with both Rakell and Reilly Smith way off their games this year.