Oilers’ latest winning streak creates major issue!

Who would have thought…

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 5 years ago
Oilers’ latest winning streak creates major issue!
Zuma Press

It was panic at the start of the season when the Edmonton Oilers lost their three first contests, after starting the campaign on the road, overseas, moving all over the place. However, they are now back on track but that does not mean that troubles are out the window. 

Quite the contrary. According to Mark Spector of Sportsnet, the Oilers’ hot streak is causing lineup issues for head coach Todd McLellan. On top of the recent Zach Kassian trade rumors that have surfaced in Edmonton, there is the fact that a former first round pick is sitting in the press box. Jesse Puljujarvi has been stalled in the press box at career NHL game No. 100 and is expected to remain a healthy scratch for tonight’s game against the Minnesota Wild. Something will need to be done in Edmonton, and coach McLellan is all too aware of it… 

“Players need to play,” said McLellan, wondering whether or not Puljujarvi should go to AHL Bakersfield. “What ends up happening is, you try to make the best decision for the group. And while you’re doing that, you try to develop players. The NHL is a tough place to develop players, and we’ve got a lot of them: Yamo (Kailer Yamamoto), Ty Rattie, Jesse …

“We have to consider the group as a whole,” he said. “When you make decisions based on the team, you’re usually making them right.”

While the decision has yet to be made on what will happen with the first rounder, the rest of the NHL keeps an eye on what will take place in Edmonton. 

“It’s obviously a hot topic — he hasn’t played a game in five days — and he won’t play tonight. That’s not ideal,” McLellan said. “You have to look at the group — the total package. We also have to be aware of the individuals, and there has to be a balance.”

For now, Puljujarvi remains on the upstairs looking down. Not to mention, another first rounder, Evan Bouchard, also remains an healthy scratch. What do you think will happen to the young forward? What move will the Oilers be forced to make? You can't blame him though with the success the Oilers currently have... 


Source: Sportsnet