Bryanbryoil
Pray For Ukraine
- Sep 13, 2004
- 86,179
- 34,556
Not saying that this is credible and I find it odd that no one else would've said anything as Jagr is a very recognizable face but just for ****s and giggles.
From the previous thread:
From the previous thread:
Franson and Jagr do it PC
Brian Campbell would be the perfect 1 year vet stopgap to fill in for Sekera. He still has gas in the tank.
I don't think that the Oilers would give Puljujärvi fourth line time. If Puljujärvi impress the coaching staff at training camp, I feel that he would slot in on the third line. This would cause Kassian to get fourth line time and pk time which he was excellent at last season. And if he doesn't, he would start at the AHL in the beginning of the season then work his way up to the NHL.
But I really feel that the Oilers have faith in Puljujärvi to crack the roster at training camp because of their acquisition of fellow fin Jokinen.
Yes, but he's poor at man defending and clearing the crease, things that Gryba is better at. With Nurse still shaky at those things, you don't want a pair that's weak at that or Talbot has 10 minutes a night dealing with a tire fire.
Maybe Russell - Franson and Nurse - Benning would be doable.
Sekera stopgap and we are ready to rock and roll.
Maroon-McDavid-Puljujarvi
Lucic-Drai-Strome
Jokinen-RNH-Kassian
Caggiula-Letestu-Slepyshev
Khaira-Pakman
Klefbom - Larsson
Russell - Benning
Nurse - TBD
Gryba
Also holy hell we have SO MANY good lineup options up front. That top 9 is among the best in the league.
I'd love to see Jesse grab that second RW slot in camp, but there's a chance that the offense is not there yet.
IMO, Bakersfield for a few months could help him, but after his difficult experience there last year, I think they have to keep him on the NHL roster, even if it means more cap room and bonuses.
Even if the offense isnt there he's shown a lot of ability in the cycle, on the wall and defensively way beyond most 18 year olds at the NHL level.
So I think there's a good chance he can stick at a bottom 6 role while he works on getting scoring chances at the NHL level, and they can move him up as he improves.
I think in terms of Puljujarvi this year, it'll be like Draisaitl. Plays decent enough in Training Camp but get's sent down when the Regular Season starts. Plays about 10-15 AHL games then comes up and destroys everyone and sticks up here.
In terms of a best case scenario, yeah it'd be nice. But I'm still not convinced he's an NHL player yet. He'll get an extended look with Jussi on the roster but remember this kid was Bambi last season. I hope he's working hard on those wheels this summer.
It's funny how much the mood on this board has swung in the space of a week.
From "As of today we are a weaker team! Chia is being complacent!" to...well, a much more optimistic outlook than what was here on July 1.
Draisaitl was the same though. He wasn't confident to use his body to his advantage and he wasn't 100% sure on himself too. I think with Jokinen teaching Puljujarvi what he needs to do to stay in the NHL, he'll figure it out faster than we think. And I don't consider that 'the best case scenario'. Best case scenario is he makes the team straight out of training camp. But I can't see that happening.
Chia has shown in the last 2 years that he will utilize the bargain bin. Russell and Jokinen were both solid deals in terms of getting quality players at a reasonable rate after the initial FA frenzy died down.
The Smithson trade was non-material either way. A big meh trade.
The funniest part for me was the waffling on giving up an extra pick for Bishop, who eventually went to Tampa.
Pulju is undersold. He is not Pajaarvi. The guy can and will score in a serious way, and i think he's there this coming season. I think he scores 30+ goals in 2017/18. Laugh if you want, but he is legit. The Oilers have a scoring gem in him. I shake my head everytime i hear Flames fans take for granted that Tkatchuk is the better player. Pulju will be making him eat his jock by next season, just like Drai makes Bennett look like a beer leaguer. Pulju is serious business, my dudes.
A lot of people are very short sighted, especially when it comes to hockey.
