Report: Another embarrassing decision from Oilers management

In his latest article, Sportsnet reporter and Edmonton Oilers insider Mark Spector does a deep dive on former 4th overall draft pick Jesse Puljujarvi and tries to get to the bottom of his slow start in the NHL.

Unlike other top selections from the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Puljujarvi has had a difficult time hammering down a full-time spot in the NHL. First overall pick Auston Matthews is already a superstar with the Toronto Maple Leafs and 2nd overall pick Patrik Laine is starring with the Western Conference leading Winnipeg Jets. Even Pierre-Luc Dubois is having an impact with the Columbus Blue Jackets already… ditto for Matthew Tkachuk of the Calgary Flames and Clayton Keller of the Arizona Coyotes. Puljujarvi however is the only one amongst that group who has spent any time in the AHL. The 19-year-old Finn has 49 career AHL games under his belt, putting up 13 goals and 33 points. In 30 games with the Oilers this season, he has nine goals and 14 points. Not bad… but miles away from stars just Matthews and Laine. So… what gives?

In light of Spector’s article, some information has come to light that Oilers fans are taking the team to task on. Now midway through his second season in North America, the Oilers STILL haven’t hired a translator or an English tutor for the Puljujarvi. From Spector, himself:

It’s a confusing time in the life of a young Finn, Puljujarvi being the increasingly rare European teenager who arrived with barely any English. From Finland, no less, a language that has zero congruencies with our own.

Where Jari Kurri honed his English skills in the ‘80s by watching episodes of Happy Days and the Flintstones, Puljujarvi will soon be paired with an English teacher. Right now, he gets by on a smile and some fabulous NHL tools.

Are you serious!? They’re JUST now getting the kid an English teacher? No wonder he’s had such a hard time adjusting to the NHL… he can’t even understand what’s being asked of him!

Regardless, the young Finn is picking things up… slowly but surely. After last night’s dominating performance over the Vancouver Canucks, in which Puljujarvi earned three points, Puljujarvi was all smiles when describing the game in broken English.

Despite Puljujarvi’s breakout game last night though, there are still thousands of Oilers fans who are concerned for the kid’s development. Chosen by many to be a top team in the Western Conference at the start of this season, the Oilers have put up another awful campaign and look poised to end up in the draft lottery once again. Just like Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and Nail Yakupov before him, could Puljujarvi’s development be hindered by playing for such a underperforming team? There’s even a case to be made that the Oilers have stunted former 1st overall pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, as well. Stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have a way of transcending the game, but players like Puljujarvi… well the jury’s still out.