Simpleton
Rejoint: juin 2017
Messages: 1,365
Mentions "j'aime": 502
Edmonton has depth in young defense and goaltenders in their system. They have promising forwards, but not as many as they need, and only Puljujarvi and Yamamoto are anywhere within shouting distance to being close to possibly being able to help the team's top six. Benson is at least another half season away from a call-up, Marody projects to be a 3C, and the rest of the Condors are either career AHL players, or possible future depth and role players in the NHL. There is some good potential currently playing in the CHL, but it will be at least a couple years before McLeod, Safin, and Maksimov should be considered ready. So, under the circumstances, Puljujarvi is critically important to Edmonton and despite his struggles they will want to hang onto him unless they can drastically improve their team.
The Oilers will have a new GM, a new head coach, and maybe an entirely new coaching staff (yet again). It is entirely possible that under a new regime, with different approaches to young players, Puljujarvi might flourish in Edmonton. I think that is a possibility they are willing to bet on right now.