EARLY RETURNS
7 years ago
Hard-luck forward Tyler Pitlick made the most of an unexpected appearance and looked like a keeper instead of a long shot. At the same time, heralded blue-chip rookie Jesse Puljujarvi, deemed by many to be a sure thing to crack the Edmonton Oilers’ line-up out of training camp, looked anything but.
Yet another reminder that it’s early, very early, in the pre-season — split squad games against the Calgary Flames produced a 4-2 win at Rogers Place and a 2-1 decision down the road in Cowtown Monday – and that it’s a fool’s game to read too much into any single season performance, that small sample size thing, in terms of the bigger picture.
That said, the small picture painted by Pitlick, who subbed in for an ill Benoit Pouliot, was a pleasant surprise by a kid who has slipped down the organizational depth chart on the wing because of his inability to stay healthy and who is quickly approaching fish-or-cut-bait time as a viable prospect.
Puljujarvi, meanwhile, appeared somewhat tentative in his much-anticipated debut in the big rink after tearing it up, as you’d expect, at the Young Stars Tournament in Penticton and against the Alberta Golden Bears. The big Finnish winger is 18. Teenagers, even studs like Puljujarvi, have nights like this.
JUST A SNAPSHOT
Pitlick, 25, who has yet to play a full season in the minors or the NHL because of injuries since being drafted in 2010, spotted in on a trio with Jujhar Khaira and Taylor Beck. He had a couple of good chances, including a shot off the post, before crashing the crease to bang in the game-winner from in tight. He also picked up an assist on Kris Versteeg’s insurance goal with nifty pass off a spin move.
“He (Pitlick) had a helluva game,” coach Todd McLellan said. “There were a group of players who had to have good games and they did. Pitlick penalty-killed, was stick-strong. He bullied his way along the boards, kept plays alive, killed plays in the D zone and managed the game well. I thought he played a power game, in both zones.” You can see highlights and Pitlick’s goal here.
After turning heads against lesser prospects in Penticton and the Golden Bears, Puljujarvi was pretty quiet against the Calgary split-squad in the 14:31 he played (including 4:58 on the power play). He was held without a point, didn’t have a shot on goal and didn’t really command the puck or push the pace as he has.
“We may as well cut to the chase — Jesse has some work to do,” said McLellan. “We’d like to think he can pull through and play on our team but based off tonight’s game . . . while he has lots of talent, he has to learn time and space at the NHL level. A couple of times he looked dangerous but he has to have the puck a lot more.”
THE BOTTOM LINE
One game against a mix for NHL vets, unproven kids and guys we won’t see once the regular season begins, doesn’t tell you much — especially when you watch it by way or a herky-jerky online feed (augmented by post-game video snippets here and there), as I did. It’s just a piece of the bigger picture. This we know.
I’ve been intrigued by Pitlick as a bottom-six candidate in the past, but this is likely his last kick at landing an NHL job, at least in Edmonton. With just 27 games with the Oilers on his resume since his draft day, even if he produces more of what we saw Monday, he’s buried so deep on the depth chart I can’t imagine he lands anywhere but Bakersfield.
As for Puljujarvi, I’ve already said I think he’ll make the opening night roster. That’s based partially on the opportunity that exists in the top-nine on the right wing and because there’s no doubt the kid blends offensive talent with the ability to play a relatively sound two-way game. What we saw Monday doesn’t change that for me. At the same time, if he’s only so-so during his first NHL camp and pre-season, there’s nothing wrong with letting him get his feet wet in the AHL.
I see Puljujarvi as a third-line option behind Jordan Eberle and Kris Versteeg, who was very good Monday, on the right side. In the end, if there’s any doubt Puljujarvi is ready for those minutes, then give him a ticket to Bakersfield. No harm in that. Simply put, it’s too early to know after one split-squad game.
CAMP CUTS
The Oilers trimmed their camp roster to 51 this morning with the following assignments.
F Scott Allen assigned to Bakersfield
D Ethan Bear assigned to Seattle (WHL)
F Joey Benik assigned to Bakersfield
F Jaedon Descheneau assigned to Bakersfield
D Caleb Jones assigned to Portland (WHL)
D Markus Niemelainen assigned to Saginaw (OHL)
D Frankie Simonelli assigned to Bakersfield
No surprises here. None of these kids, including Bear, was going to make a legitimate push for a roster spot now. It’s better to move them out early and let the junior-aged kids get settled in with their respective teams while making the numbers more manageable here.
Listen to Robin Brownlee Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the Jason Gregor Show on TEAM 1260.
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