Edmonton Oilers head coach Ken Hitchcock hopes to get more out of Jesse Puljujarvi and believes slotting him alongside Connor McDavid on the team's top line may be the solution.
"I feel like his next step is to get his tempo higher," Hitchcock said after moving Puljujarvi to the top unit during the Thursday's practice. "So why not play him with the fastest player on the team, and maybe even in the league and see if he can keep up."
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was the other member of the Oilers' first line after Hitchcock's changes.
Puljujarvi, 20, has played in 24 games with Edmonton this season, recording three goals and an assist. He also suited up for four games with the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL.
The 2016 fourth overall pick has yet to live up to the high expectations of being selected shortly after Auston Matthews and fellow Finn Patrik Laine. He's recorded 32 points in 117 career games.
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