Quote:
Originally Posted by The Fonz
I think it's because it would have removed Puljujarvi from the Oilers roster for potentially 10-12 days. He'd have missed 5 or 6 NHL games in that time, and so that means keeping him on the bench or in the pressbox for an extra 5 or 6 games once the tournament was over, in order to burn that RFA year
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Your point makes absolute sense.
Here is where it is full oilers though; wouldn't you want the potential development of arguably the most Oiler valuable asset not getting regular ice time to get a chance to play with the WJC team? confidence, leadership, growth, and all of the other things that you get from leading a team in games that actually matter? Those 10-12 days, or 3 or 4 games (depending upon when Finland played and the required preparation), to me would be priceless development especially as the NHL took a Christmas break, with the greasers staying at home. the wjc was in Toronto and Montréal, so even travel wasn't that big a deal.
wouldn't a good agent want the player (an asset) to increase in value to actually be able to leverage during contract negotiations (now with one less RFA year)? wouldn't a good GM want his player to get better and contribute as soon as possible?
full oiler.