Power points in the NHL training season are not given any weight. Fighting for the continuation of his NHL career in Pittsburgh Jesse Puljujärvi in this case, power was already needed in practice games.
And Puljujärvi, 25, also did them. The striker from Torniola already scored a hat trick in the first training match against Buffalo. Powers 1+2 were recorded in the last fight of the training season. Puljujärvi took third place in the point exchange of the training season, which was insignificant in itself, with 4+4 performances.
For comparison, let’s mention that 39 previous NHL games had produced a balance of 3+3.
The Finnish power forward, who returned to the NHL after major hip surgery in the middle of last season, entered the final year of his two-year, cheap contract ($800,000 per year). The stakes were already high from the start.
– I had to succeed at this camp, Jesse Puljujärvi tells Urheilu.
– In that sense, it was nice to get those points as well. The battle for playing spots here is really tough this year.
Puljujärvi scored a beautiful goal from a pass in the last training match against Columbus.
“It was a big summer”
The points did not accrue to Puljujärvi’s account during the training season by chance. Kärppäkasvat’s skating has progressed a lot in a short time. Now Potku has power and explosiveness in a completely different way than before. You didn’t need a magnifying glass to see this.
– The difference is like night and day from last year. He’s much stronger and his skating has come a long way, the Pittsburgh pilot Mike Sullivan stated to the North American media at the end of the training season.
– You can see it yourself now. I get the kick going well and I can squeeze power into it from the top of my foot. A balance has also been sought, so that you are not constantly on your nose and are therefore stronger to fight. What we are looking for is that it will last when the long Main Series starts, Puljujärvi states.
Puljujärvi has left no stone unturned in terms of his NHL dreams after major hip surgery. The winger, who previously represented Edmonton and Carolina with bucks, says he was knocked in by a physical trainer Seppo Urpilainen huge hours at the helm.
– It was a big summer. Time was on the limit, and that’s what you have to do if you want to get to the top. Over the course of a year, a shocking number of hours have been put into this. It is also important for me that I can now continue with this. Nothing is really ready yet. This is where the work just begins.
Puljujärvi also says that he rationalized his training.
– Now I do it more programmed and completely according to Urpilainen’s instructions. You won’t get in the way of your own banter anymore. Now it is no longer necessary to play a cock league game or to miss tennis. Or another workout. I have spaced out my training and invested in getting the most out of each workout.
– In the past, I sought safety from the quantity, but that is not the best way. The limits have been reached, but sensibly.
Practice matches were the first indication to the player himself that he has done the right things.
– I started the camp with good self-confidence, a fresh mind and good feet. The process is at the stage where this is starting to be a really good hockey player again, Puljujärvi says and flashes his trademark broad smile.
“I have to admit that there is even a little tension”
Despite all the positive developments, Lake Puljujärvi still has a lot to prove. Eight years ago, the quadruple booking of the NHL booking event is playing for the continuation of his career in the NHL in the season that has started.
Based on the training season, Puljujärvi is allowed to expect a good season, but nothing can be promised with the factory’s guarantee.
Probably on Pittsburgh’s third line together by Lars Eller and young by Rutger McGroarty Puljujärvi, who starts with, must be able to play intact in both directions and be able to apply a power point from there and another from here to his account.
– I’m definitely on a new level with Miele now too. You have had to go through everything, and yes, you grow spiritually. After all, this is already becoming an adult, Puljujärvi throws and smiles broadly again.
– If only I didn’t start getting too excited about power points. Otherwise, if I play well, they will come. It’s very exciting to be able to play already and continue where I left off in the training season. I also have to admit that there is a little tension in terms of being able to continue with it.
Puljujärvi’s goal going forward is clear.
– You have to be in the lineup every night, be a good NHL player and thus play for many more years in the NHL. The competition for playing spots is fierce, so the coach must be able to trust that I will be able to perform consistently and well. At least there was a message that they see potential in me and the opportunity to make further strides.
After all the difficulties, Puljujärvi feels that he is in the right place mentally and physically to succeed.
– Sometimes we were quite far from this and wondered if we would ever play in any league again. It’s been quite a long journey here. I rarely know how to be satisfied myself, but now I have to know how to enjoy this as well and try to bring that happy Jesse to the field, Puljujärvi concludes.