The Edmonton Oilers have recalled Jesse Puljujarvi from the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Bakersfield Condors.
Puljujarvi was selected fourth overall by the Oilers in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old has appeared in 28 career NHL games, recording eight points including one goal.
The Finland native has five points in 10 games with the Condors this season and 33 points in 49 career AHL games.
Head coach Todd McLellan hopes Puljujarvi can play a responsible game. “You see it with a lot of first round picks; you tend to not be as sharp defensively as you need to be,” McLellan explained. “We’ve talked to him about those situations. All indications are he’s working hard to clean that part up.”
Puljujarvi is likely to play on the second line with Milan Lucic and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
Edmonton has placed forward Anton Slepyshev on injured reserve. Slepyshev scored on Thursday against New Jersey but then didn’t finish the game. He’d missed the previous two games with an injury. Drake Caggiula is also unlikely to play this weekend after blocking a shot Tuesday against the New York Islanders.
The Oilers continue a four-game road trip on Saturday when they visit the New York Rangers. Catch the game on 630 CHED with the Face-off Show at 9:30 a.m. The game starts at 11 a.m.
Edmonton won their second straight game for the first time this season when they beat the New Jersey Devils in overtime on a Leon Draisaitl goal on Thursday.
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