“Next Man Up” After Oilers Lose Puljujarvi to Lower-Body Injury

Bad news for the Edmonton Oilers as top-six forward Jesse Puljujarvi has reportedly suffered a lower-body injury that will keep him out of the lineup for four weeks, according to the organization. Just as the forward was starting to get hot and the team was rolling with four-straight wins under new coach Jay Woodcroft, this is not ideal timing.

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Coach Woodcroft notes that Jesse Puljujarvi's lower-body injury will keep him out for about four weeks.

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) February 18, 2022

With 12 goals and 28 points in 46 games, this season is set up to easily be his best in the NHL. He was becoming an integral part of the forward corps and a reliable member of the top line alongside Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman. He was really coming into his own and had become a fan-favorite, known to most fans as The Bison King. Under former coach Dave Tippett, Puljujarvi was not always used in the same role. Under new coach Jay Woodcroft, the Finn was immediately put back on the top line with McDavid and the coach was rewarded with two goals and three points in four games.

As for what happens now in Edmonton, coach Woodcroft said, “Next man up” and is taking the mentality that this bad news will be a good opportunity for someone. If that’s Kailer Yamamoto who was elevated to the first line in the third period of Thursday’s game or Ryan McLeod who stepped up to fill in for Yamamoto on the second line, someone is getting a shot. It could also be a player from Bakersfield as the team has some talented young prospects down in the system, some who may be ready for a showcase of sorts.

Who Will the Oilers Call Up from Bakersfield?

Fans may be interested to see what Dylan Holloway can do as there is a lot of good being said about the forward. In 11 AHL games, Holloway has one goal and four assists. He’s not exactly lighting the world on fire after a hot start. Seth Griffith leads the team with 17 goals and 46 points in 34 games while Cooper Maordy has 14 goals and 35 points in 32 games. Both players could get a look.

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