IS: A brutal assessment of Jesse Puljujärvi by Joonas Donskoi

Jesse Puljujärvi had a strong season in the Swiss NL league and also scored in last week’s EHT tournament, but according to former NHL forward Joonas Donskoi, the Finnish winger still shows familiar challenges in his game.

Donskoi assessed to Ilta-Sanomat that Puljujärvi’s playing style has not changed significantly from previous years.

– We saw the same old Jesse that played in the NHL. His playing hasn’t changed much. He still circles and weaves and drives himself past situations, Donskoi summarized to Ilta-Sanomat.

Puljujärvi appeared in the EHT tournament on the same line with Florida Panthers star center Anton Lundell. According to Donskoi, the playing styles of the duo did not completely match, even though Puljujärvi scored twice in the tournament.

– I thought that Puljujärvi might not necessarily fit next to Lundell. Lundell is used to playing a certain type of hockey in the NHL, which Puljujärvi’s weaving might not suit, Donskoi says.

This week, Puljujärvi was moved to the third line in the practices leading up to the World Championships, alongside Aatu Räty and Janne Kuokkanen.

Donskoi particularly highlighted the need for improvement in battle play, where he still sees development needs.

– Puljujärvi still tends to drift outside of situations, sort of bypassing battles, and doesn’t stop for them. That’s why he loses battles, Donskoi continued.

Despite the criticism, Donskoi also found positive things to say. The movement of Puljujärvi, who has recovered from several hip surgeries, impressed the former NHL forward.

– After all the hip injuries, his skating looked really good.

This season, Puljujärvi recorded 19+33 points in 52 games in the Swiss NL league. According to Donskoi, the forward’s strengths are currently better showcased in the European playing style.

– Jesse’s playing style certainly suits Switzerland better than the NHL. He is in constant motion, and in Switzerland, the puck is always in play, Donskoi concludes.