Ramblings: Pool Party time; DeMelo and Domi sign; Draft thoughts; free agency looms – October 8

The Oilers signed forward Jesse Puljujarvi to a two-year deal worth $1.175M per season. The 22-year old forward played in Europe last year after playing parts of three seasons with Edmonton. It seemed the bridge was burned but with a new regime in charge, Pulju returns.

I have illustrated it before, but now that he's signed, it's worth doing it again. Here are Connor McDavid's numbers from 2016 through 2019 at 5-on-5 with Pulju on the wing, and then Leon Draisaitl on the wing (from Natural Stat Trick):

 

	97 w/ Pulju (407 mins)	97 w/ Drai (1981 mins)
CF/60	70.48	62.45
CA/60	57.54	55.94
xGF/60	3.51	2.98
xGA/60	2.59	2.43
xGF%	57.53%	55.03%
GF/60	3.53	3.91
GA/60	2.21	2.88
GF%	61.54%	57.59%

 

This is just so everyone can see – sample size issues aside – that the on-ice processes and results for McDavid playing with Pulju were similar or better to those with Draisaitl. He also led the Oilers in shot attempts/60 minutes through his first two seasons.

Pulju deserves a crack at the top line immediately, full stop. None of this 'we'll see how things shake out' or 'he has to work his way up'. This team has one good right winger and that guy (Yamamoto) has fewer than half the NHL games played Pulju does. If he starts with Jujhar Khaira, I might swallow my own face.

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Following the trade to Columbus, Max Domi signed for two years at $5M per season. That gives him time to establi