Edmonton Oilers forward ranked as one of the top bargains in the NHL this year

Article content

This just in from CapFriendly, news that so far this year Edmonton has one of the top bargain players in the entire NHL in Jesse Puljujarvi.

When you compare salary to points production, Puljujarvi ranks second in the entire NHL, behind only Detroit rookie Lucas Raymond. Puljujajarvi, who has a cap hit of $1,175,000 has eight points in five games. Raymond has seven points in six games, but makes $925,000 (before his bonuses get factored in; he can make as much as $2.5 million in bonus money this year).

Article content

My take

1. Small sample size, of course, but Puljujarvi is off to a blistering start. For Edmonton to compete this year and in years to come, it will need a steady supply of young forwards on value contracts to help out in the Core-12, the key players on any NHL team. Puljujarvi is stepping up in that role this year.

2. Puljujarvi’s two-way play has been strong. He’s confident carrying and shooting the puck, he’s winning his share of board battles and has done well in his own zone. He’s ranked as the top Oilers winger when it comes to individual Grade A scoring chances plus-minus. At even strength he’s made. major contributions to 11 Grade A chances and he’s made major mistakes on just three against, making him +1.5 Grade A chances per game. Next best is Zach Hyman, +1.4 per game, then Warren Foegele, +0.7, Kailer Yamamoto, +0.5, and Zack Kassian, +0.0 per game.

Article content

3. Next year Puljujarvi and Yamamoto will both need new contracts and it’s likely to cost the Oilers plenty, so much so that the team might not be able to afford both unless Edmonton is able to move out a big contract. Almost certainly there will be a need for players on other value contracts to step up, with the best candidates being Tyler Benson, who is now on the Oilers, Ryan McLeod, a dominant AHLer, Raphael Lavoie, who is learning the two-way game at the AHL level, Dylan Holloway, the first round pick from 2020 who is now injured, and Carter Savoie, currently ripping it up in U.S. college hockey, where he’s got 12 points in six games.

Staples on politics

 The most dangerous response to Alberta’s landslide vote to axe equalization? Ignore it

At the Cult

STAPLES: When Edmonton power play cools down, it will still scorch opponents

McCURDY: Three looks at Darnell Nurse

STAPLES: The new Dynamic Duo on Edm’s blueline