The NHL’s regular season is coming to an end! will broadcast on TV2 and Areena on Saturday 8 April. two matches in a row. First at 7:25 p.m., Buffalo–Carolina, and from 10:25 p.m., Dallas and Vegas face off.
RALEIGH. The roof of the home hall of the Carolina Hurricanes has been torn off.
The home team has just taken a 2-1 lead in Sunday’s game against the New York Islanders, and the crowd is erupting into jubilation.
The Canes supporters, who are used to winning in recent years, are not celebrating their lead.
They show their popularity with all their bare bones Jesse to Puljujärviwhose assist that led to the goal is his first power play in a Hurricanes jersey.
It took an agonizing ten matches to achieve it, and the reaction of the supporters exudes shared joy and relief for their latest Finnish newcomer.
– One point in itself is not a thing or anything, but the audience made it significant. They know it’s a new player and they wanted to show that they are behind him, the team coach and the club legend Rod Brind’Amour explains the public’s strong reaction to the day after the match.
Brind’Amour himself put a hand on Puljujärvi’s shoulder in the substitution box as he sat down on the bench.
– I have been in the same situation myself. Players always measure their value by points and goals. Not so much us coaches. I wanted him to understand that this is where it starts.
“Of course, I would like the game to produce something”
Rod Brind’Amour is indeed considered a coach who primarily values the players doing the agreed things correctly, and only secondarily power points. But Jesse Puljujärvi can’t necessarily afford to think like that.
The top pick of the first round has years of mixed success in Edmonton behind him.
Last season’s development and efficient play was followed by a decline. After an underwhelming first season, in an interview with , Puljujärvi already doubted his own abilities to succeed in the world’s toughest hockey league.
Now he has spring time to show in his new club that he still belongs in the NHL.
– Yes, deep down I believe that I could be a good player in this league. You have to believe in that.
In Carolina, the man has dribbled, skated, tackled and shot in all chains. The management, coaching and fans praise his moves, but the hard work has not been reflected in the power statistics.
– I’ve been able to play a pretty good game. I’ve been working hard, but the result hasn’t come. Of course, I would like that game to produce something. It’s been a bit difficult in that regard, but all you can do is believe.
– Yes, deep down I believe that I could be a good player in this league. You have to believe in that, Puljujärvi says.
In Carolina, Puljujärvi will be better: “One hundred certain”
If Puljujärvi’s faith is fading from time to time, so is Carolina’s club boss By Don Waddell there is even more trust. Puljujärvi has been in his sights since the booking year of 2016.
– We basically scouted him then, but we ended up booking him to Andrei SvetshnikovWaddell says.
Svetshnikov has already developed into a top scorer, but he is out of the playoffs due to injury.
Interest in Puljujärvi remained.
– I was chatting by Ken Holland (Edmonton’s GM) last summer in Edmonton and I said if you ever want to trade Puljujärvi, we’re interested.
That opportunity came just before the transfer deadline at the end of February. According to Holland, Edmonton offered Puljujärvi an extension with a hefty salary reduction. When an agreement was not reached, Carolina saw her opportunity.
– He has a lot of potential. He is still a young player. He is big, skates well and plays physical puck. We believe he is a player who can help us to the next level.
Of course, Waddell says that he is aware that Puljujärvi’s years in Edmonton did not go completely smoothly. However, it did not change Waddell’s perception of Puljujärvi’s abilities. They are going to make him a better player than he was in Edmonton.
– It’s a hundred certain. The intention is not to riot Edmonton. We just do things differently here. We play a different puck than most teams.
Carolina GM Don Waddell assures his credit to Jesse Puljujärvi.
– We wouldn’t sign a player if we didn’t believe he could become a better player here.
Even though Puljujärvi’s point balance is meager, Waddell is already ready to promise Puljujärvi an extension.
– I believe so. We have talked about it internally.
However, now is not the right time to discuss contracts, Waddell says. He doesn’t like to mess with the players’ thoughts in the middle of the season.
– When the moment is right, we will contact you To Markus (Grove) and we try to get something done.
– We have seen enough to know that there is a place for him in this team. Whether he becomes a first or fourth string player is up to him.
Brind’Amour talks about her conversations with Puljujärvi
The main responsibility for piloting Jesse Puljujärvi to a new rise falls to coach Rod Brind’Amour.
Brind’Amour is a legend in the team’s hometown of Raleigh.
He was the captain of the team that won the Stanley Cup in 2006 and as a coach he has taken a young crew to the playoffs four years in a row.
For Jesse Puljujärvi, Brind’Amour offers an opportunity to take his career to a new level.
– We give him the opportunity to play with different players, including our top players. We try to find the right combination. But after that, it’s up to the player to play well.
Brind’Amour says that he had private conversations with Puljujärvi.
“I told him that I don’t want him to think of himself as a high-caliber player, and that he has a new day and a new start here. I also said that we do not know him and he does not know us and that he must make an impression on us.
Brind’Amour wants to remove all the hype and pressure and overly high expectations around Puljujärvi. They can sometimes form into a stalactite.
– If everything extra is taken away, what remains is a big man who knows how to skate and create situations. That’s the kind of player I like. There is a lot of good in him and he will continue to develop.
The fact that the paint taps haven’t turned on yet doesn’t worry Brind’Amour. In his opinion, Puljujärvi has been unlucky in goal positions, and getting used to the new environment and game system will take time anyway.
– Playing puck is easy. When the puck is on the stage, go create chances. It is more difficult to know what to do when the puck is on the opposite side. How do we want you to position yourself on the ice? There are differences in making teams and understanding them takes time.
– In the playoffs, the game becomes more physical. Big players can withstand a more grinding style of play better. When he gets the puck, he knows what to do with it. Hopefully his understanding of the game will make us a better team.
Carolina supporters have three clear favorites. Sebastian AhonAndrei Svetshnikov and By Jordan Staal the names are stamped on the backs of most fan shirts.
Puljujärvi’s shirt will not be found at barbecue parties in parking lots or in the corridors of halls. But at this stage, the fans already know the new player well and are learning to pronounce the hard-to-speak Finnish name.
– To be honest, I hadn’t heard of him before he came here, says someone who has followed the team for fifteen years Jamie Schnurrwho immediately wants to hear how the name of Puljujärvi is actually pronounced.
– I want to learn it. I know the announcers don’t know how to do that, says Schnurr and echoes the difficult name of a decent performance.
– Puljujärvi is really friendly and he always smiles. I love it.
His grip in the rink has also pleased Schnurr.
– I like that he is big and that he uses his size to his advantage. He dribbles well and often keeps the puck on the offensive end. He works hard for our team.
Schnurr is aware that Puljujärvi’s career did not take the desired rise in Edmonton.
– Everything depends on people, chemistry and ways of working. I think Carolina suits him. We are happy that he is here.
In the corridors of the hall, some are still a little skeptical, but ready to give Puljujärvi a screen space, especially since Sebastian Aho and Puljujärvi are friends.
– We love Sebastian Aho. If Aho loves Puljujärvi and swears by his name, then he is our friend too.
Sebastian Aho’s shirt is hard currency in the “tailgate” of Carolina Hurricanes fans.
Carolina fan Cameron Jereb also happily presented his Aho shirt.
“A classic example of a missed opportunity”
When Jesse Puljujärvi was booked for Edmonton 2016, expectations were sky high. After all, Puljujärvi had dazzled together with Sebastian Aho and Patrik Laine with in the same victorious chain in the World Junior Championships. But when the result didn’t come right away, Edmonton didn’t know how to approach the situation in the right way, he says Allan Mitchella puck reporter who has followed Edmonton for a long time.
– Lake Puljujärvi is a classic example of a missed opportunity, Mitchell says to .
In Mitchell’s opinion, too high expectations were placed on Puljujärvi from the team’s management, owners and fans too quickly. According to him, gambling and the use of farm commands were also not consistent or supportive of Puljujärvi’s development.
In Mitchell’s opinion, the Carolina Hurricanes are an organization that Puljujärvi’s characteristics fit perfectly. There, he has the unwavering support of the team management, teammates and fans, and no one seems to be in a hurry to make Puljujärvi the team’s star or mainstay.
– I believe that he can be a really valuable player for the Carolina Hurricanes and score 15-20 goals in a season in the second or third chain. I believe that he has full potential for that.
But does Puljujärvi himself believe that Carolina is a place where a new spring could come for his career?
– Well, why not, Puljujärvi says briefly and at the same time states that self-confidence could be higher.
– I’ve just trusted that I put my body in the gym and do the damn thing, and that’s enough for what is enough. As long as I get to play, that’s already a win for me.
The NHL’s regular season is coming to an end! will broadcast on TV2 and Areena on Saturday 8 April. two matches in a row. First at 7:25 p.m., Buffalo–Carolina, and from 10:25 p.m., Dallas and Vegas face off.