Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Puljujarvi: 4 Teams Interested. Whose Centers Aren't Scoring?

November 17, 2018, 11:14 AM ET [77 Comments]
Eklund
RSSArchiveCONTACT
The trade winds are a blowin'....

And with the Rumor Chart Launch Imminent (I will announce in here when it goes live, but so far I am tracking 35 players on the Chart) teams are starting to look to get business done WAY earlier than usual this year. Why?

Well the answer is pretty simple. Kevin Allen from USA Today pretty much nailed it in yesterday's podcast. With the exception of the Kings, there are a lot of teams who thought they would be looking at the deadline in one way, but now they are over-achieving and not really sure where they are. Look at Vancouver, the NY Metro teams, Buffalo....and you quickly see how hard it is..

One name that keeps coming up is Oilers forward Jesse Puljujarvi. Puljujarvi was highly touted prospect who when paired with Patrick Laine in Finland was ridiculous... In 11 games with Edmonton this season he is sitting on 1 goal and 0 assists? How is this possible?

Well there are teams out there willing to talk to Edmonton for sure...teams who feel that Jesse Puljujarvi is buried a bit in Edmonton, but as a top line center could once again gain the confidence to go along with the already obvious skill.

Here is a little of a preview of the Rumor Chart...

I still have Jesse Puljujarvi staying with Edmonton at 30%

#1 Columbus-25%

The Jackets very much could use a legit #1 Center.. While he may not be that guy, he might be worth a shot...and GM Jarmo Kekäläinen is of course very familiar with fellow Fin Puljujarvi, and as much as Jarmo LOVES how whenever a Finnish player becomes available everyone assumes Jarmo will be front and center, this is a case where is makes some sense. The Jackets are currently 27th in the NHL in scoring from the Center position...

#2 Montreal-25%

Right behind Columbus, at 28th in scoring from the center position sits Montreal..The Habs Centers combine for just 41 points. (See the list of teams not getting points from Centers below...

#3 Ottawa-10%

The Sens are NOT going to be anything close to a seller with the Jack Hughes Sweeps coming. The Sens have gotten 48 points from their centers.

#4 NJ Devils... 10%

The Devils are also going to aggressive this deadline and I am told that Ray Shero has ALWAYS loved Puljujarvi...

Below are the Points by Centers...Tampa is killing this stat...Of course I realize that these are flawed because these are based on the players current position listing on NHL.com, and players are constantly moving around...but there needs to be a constant to draw from, and NHL.com feels like it should be the standard..most of their positions are pretty accurate, but even if they aren't they are close enough to draw some comparisons...

Points by Centers (Based on their positions on NHL.com)

1. Tampa 94
2. Toronto 70
3. Colorado 69
4. Edmonton 68
5. Calgary 65
6. Pittsburgh 62
7. Vancouver 62
8. Philadelphia 60
8. Dallas 60
10. San Jose 59
11. Florida 58
12. Washington 58
13. St Louis 55
13. Boston 55
15. Arizona 54
15. Vegas 54
15. Detroit 54
15. NY Islanders 54
19. NY Rangers 53
19. Buffalo 53
21. Nashville 51
22. Minnesota 49
23. Anaheim 48
23. NJ Devils 48
23. Ottawa 48
26. Chicago 47
27. Columbus 45
28. Montreal 41
29. Carolina 37
30. Winnipeg 36
31. LA Kings 24

Pretty shocking that Winnipeg is so low on this list, eh?

What say you?
Join the Discussion: » 77 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Eklund
» 14 Games Tonight with SO Much on the line. Previews and Picks
» Best Night of Hockey Yet..With Drama, Comebacks, Upsets!..Picks;Wed's Buzz
» 12 HUGE GAMES. THE BUZZTRON TELLS YOU EXACTLY WHAT WILL HAPPEN...
» Buzztron 7-3 last night. New Tie in Projected President Cup; Mon's Buzz
» The Buzztron Wins another Night Calling Leafs and Rangers Wins. Tonight?