Edmonton Oilers: Puljujarvi Could Eclipse Need for Yakupov
Ever since the Edmonton Oilers won Jesse Puljujarvi at the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, there has been debate over whether or not he should make the transition straight to the National Hockey League, or spend some time in the minors first.
However, at rookie camp, the Finnish winger is doing everything in his power to prove that he is ready for the big leagues, and believes that he is 100 percent ready to go. He had an outstanding performance in the first game of the Young Stars Classic Friday, scoring two goals (one beautiful end-to-end highlight-reel tally) and adding an assist.
With the way he looks, and if he can keep it up, Puljujarvi could be suiting up for Edmonton come October. If that does happen, it could mean a couple of things for Edmonton’s right wingers, especially Nail Yakupov.
Both of these first-round draft picks have skill, without a doubt, but one is different than the other. Puljujarvi has playmaking ability combined with impressive scoring potential, and the power to carry his own line. Yakupov has speed and sniping skills, but has struggled thanks to poor development and dropped chances to prove himself.
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The Russian winger’s names has been in trade rumors ever since this past season, and though he had a moment of greatness when put on a line with Connor McDavid, many wonder if he can prove himself on his own. Not to mention, if Puljujarvi suits well as a top-six right winger, he could eclipse the overall necessity of Yakupov, and therefore, make Yakupov more expendable.
If this occurs, Yakupov would be able to try his chances with a new organization, and perhaps a new location and cocaching staff will do him good. The Oilers’ ever-changing management and coaching staff has seemed to take away from Yakupov’s growth into the elite NHL winger he was once destined to be, and a change in scenery could help him finally get the care he needs to resume his big-league development.
In addition, if Puljujarvi proves to be as skilled and NHL-ready as he does now, he would rank better than Yakupov on the depth chart and likely earn a higher spot in the lineup, likely on the second line behind Jordan Eberle. This would drop Yakupov down to the bottom-six, where he would likely be centred by Leon Draisaitl or Mark Letestu.
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Needless to say, these are two players who he does not exactly perform well with (Letestu especially), and the former top prospect would therefore, continue to struggle and be considered a bottom-six forward competing with Zack Kassian and Iiro Pakarinen for minutes.
On the contrary, others think that Yakupov deserves another chance. He proved to be a force when put on the top-line, and he seems to have undergone impressive off-season training this summer. The 22-year-old could be poised to come out of his shell, and still has the potential to be a lethal force in the NHL.
Still, something lingers that he could be trade bait, and if Yakupov is dealt to another team, Puljujarvi could fill his void, and the Oilers could get a prospect or defenseman in return. The only question that rings is if starting Puljujarvi in the NHL right away would create another Yakupov situation, or if it would better suit the 18-year-old to play in the big leagues if he is ready. Time will tell.
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