Oilers’ Tippett reveals how Puljujarvi truly feels about returning to Edmonton

It was clear that a reunion was coming between the Edmonton Oilers and forward Jesse Puljujarvi and it was made official at the beginning of the month when the team announced that they retrieved a prized prospect in signing the young Finn to a two-year contract.

As you know, the fourth overall pick by Edmonton in the 2016 NHL entry draft split his first three pro seasons in North America between the Oilers and the club’s American Hockey League affiliate. He then chose not to re-sign with the Oilers last summer and played in the Finnish elite league with Karpat instead.

Now back in Edmonton, Puljujarvi seems to be already feeling the pressure. Head coach Dave Tippett commented on NHL.com the Oilers’ latest acquisitions and might have revealed a little too much on how the 22-year-old Finn feels about returning to Alberta. 

It sounds like he’s feeling the heat! 

“You watch him play now and he’s a different player,” Tippett said. “He’s a dominant player in the Finnish league right now. His English is good and he’s anxious to come over and prove he can be a good player in the best league in the world… I think we’ll get a much better player coming in here this time.”

Feeling anxious, Jesse? That might not help the young forward, who already had issues delivering after he was selected fourth overall by the Oilers in the 2016 Draft. 

He will need to get over it because the season kicks off, if not he will be back where he was in Edmonton : that means as a healthy scratch or in the club’s American Hockey League affiliate…

Come on, Jesse, get your sh*t together!