[Signing] Oilers sign Puljujarvi to ELC (3yrs, $3.425mil AAV)

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

The oilers have had 4 x 1sts overalls (hall, rnh, yakupov, mcdavid), and going back to 2007, 8 top 10 picks NOT including Puljujarvi.

I wasn't haunted when they got McDavid, and i'm sure as hell not haunted with this kid, regardless of his talent level. Plenty of talent brought in over the past decade, yet to ice a non-AHL team.

Until they start to prove otherwise, there is no reason to give any kind of benefit of the doubt.

I was livid after they got McDavid... however, any other pick they get from now on won't move the needle for me because of that...

puljujarvi could be good, could be a dud... but we got Tkachuk so i am pretty happy with that outcome...

[sun]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

Yep, long shot at best. The finalists are going to be Matthews, Laine and Nylander IMO.

I doubt it. One of them will likely win it, but no way all three will be finalists. There's always at least one unpredictable nominee for Calder.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Robbob

Yeah, I can't imagine him being thrown on the first line while trying to adapt to the north American game. Not setting up to succeed at all.

Aka...the Oiler way.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Really? The kid that only put up 37 points in 60 Liiga games last season winning the Calder wouldn't shock you?

I'd be pretty surprise myself.

MVP of the WJHC who is a big, skilled man that may find himself playing alongside McDavid who's if healthy should easily eclipse 80 points. Matthews and Nylander will cancel each other out and don't have anyone to play with that's going to elevate them like Kane did with Panarin. IMO it's likely going to be between Laine and Puljujarvi.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

MVP of the WJHC who is a big, skilled man that may find himself playing alongside McDavid who's if healthy should easily eclipse 80 points. Matthews and Nylander will cancel each other out and don't have anyone to play with that's going to elevate them like Kane did with Panarin. IMO it's likely going to be between Laine and Puljujarvi.

I guess we'll see, but I don't recall any kids coming over from that league and dominating the NHL enough to get serious Calder consideration. Even ones with better numbers there than Puljujarvi.

Even Barkov took 3 seasons to start putting up numbers that would have put him any kind of contention for a Calder type season.

But yeah, I guess if he gets lots of time with McDavid that will certainly help.

[Toonage]

Lucic-McDavid-Puljujarvi will be a handful. One of the reasons I think Brouwer plays on our top line will be to combat lines like this.

[EldrickOnIce]

You pretty much have to think it's either Puljujarvi or Eberle lining up with McDavid and Lucic, to start.
My guess is the new toy gets a real good shot there.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

You pretty much have to think it's either Puljujarvi or Eberle lining up with McDavid and Lucic, to start.
My guess is the new toy gets a real good shot there.

Exactly and look at how Eberle's production spiked when paired with McDavid as he was having a miserable season until McDavid came back from injury. Even if he plays alongside Draisaitl he could be in for a great season. I like his chances better than any of the Leafs kids as that team doesn't have any quality forwards to pair them with as the Leafs were pinning their hopes on Stamkos coming in to help the kids which didn't happen.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Lucic-McDavid-Puljujarvi will be a handful. One of the reasons I think Brouwer plays on our top line will be to combat lines like this.

I'll be interested how Gulutzan approaches these situations. In his initial press conference said something about Flames top line needing to be better against other teams top lines.
Does he match Gaudreau-Monahan-Brouwer against that line?
I dunno.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

I'll be interested how Gulutzan approaches these situations. In his initial press conference said something about Flames top line needing to be better against other teams top lines.
Does he match Gaudreau-Monahan-Brouwer against that line?
I dunno.

I think that's a real possibility when the Flames are playing against Western Conference opponents.

[Toonage]

Re: Flames vs. Oilers - At home its tough to say. Would a line like Tkachuk-Bennett-Ferland be a better matchup leaving our top line against Draisaitl & Eberle?

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Re: Flames vs. Oilers - At home its tough to say. Would a line like Tkachuk-Bennett-Ferland be a better matchup leaving our top line against Draisaitl & Eberle?

l would rather Ferland not be used on any lines expected to produce goals. He was an offensive black hole last season.