Former Oilers First Round Pick Made A Consistent Healthy Scratch, Coach Makes Bizarre Comments

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Ryan Hall
November 30, 2024 (8:44 PM)

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It was revealed today that former Oilers fan favorite Jesse Pujujarvi was made a healthy scratch by Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan Prior to their game against the Calgary Flames.

During the pregame media scrum, Taylor Haase of PGH asked the question too why he was scratched and Sullivan explained that Pujujarvi needed to grasp and understand the team concept and focus on the details.

»A lot of it is just details. Understanding the team concept, doing his job, whether it be forechecks or rush coverages or D zone coverage. There's a number of different things.»
- Mike Sullivan

The scratching was a little confusing as some of the statistics showed that Pujujarvi is one of the most efficient players on the Penguins roster as he currently sits third behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin for points for 60 minutes at two per game.

Pujujarvi has found some success with the Penguins as he has begun his first full year with the team since coming over in a trade by the Carolina Hurricanes.

Through the first 20 games of the season scoring three goals with five assists for eight points and has had eight penalty minutes with 11 minutes and 38 seconds of average ice time.

He began his career in the NHL with the Oilers as he was drafted in 2016, first round 4th overall. Many Oilers fans became fan favourites of him has he remained with the organization till 2023.

There has been a trend of a different standard and expectation from Pujujarvi through all teams he's played for which could indicate something in his game or himself.

It remains to be seen on whether this scratch will get him back into the lineup as he will buckle down and try to play the game that Sullivan wants.

This goes for everybody on the Penguins as the team continues to struggle an appears to be heading for a potential rebuild by next season.

POLL
Do you think Jesse Pujujarvi is held to a different standard towards his game in the NHL?
▢ Yes - He cant seem to catch a break
▢ No - He's the common factor it's his game

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