• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Edmonton Oilers

4 Key Things Already Said By 4 Key Oilers Players At Camp

By Jim Parsons January 6th, 2021

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

After a couple of days of training camp for the Edmonton Oilers, some key players for the 2020-21 season have already made some statements worth noting. During interviews with the media, names like Kyle Turris, Jesse Puljujarvi, Tyson Barrie, Darnell Nurse, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid all spoke about their camps, the upcoming season and how they think things will go.

In all cases, the players offered some good insight into the team’s motivation and plans as part of a new North Division. But, in a couple of cases, four Oilers players offered nuggets that might be worth jotting down.

Jesse Puljujarvi Says “Speak Better, Play Better”

There will already be a lot of eyes on returning forward Jesse Puljuarvi this season, but one of the interesting things of note already out of camp is how big, strong and more comfortable he looks. Puljuarvi spoke with the media after Day 1 of camp and it was clear his communication skills were much improved and he pointed out that should lead to improved production.

It might seem like a small thing, but when asked if knowing the city, the language and the game a little better this time around will help, Puljujarvi acknowledged he’s made major strides in his English skills. “Ya, it helps a lot,” he said. He added, “You speak better, you play better.”

Whether that’s actually true or not may be less important than Puljujarvi believing that it helps. If he’s more comfortable with his coaches and teammates and feels he better understands what is expected of him, better knows his role and feels more involved, he’s likely to stay more engaged.

For a player like Puljujarvi — someone who most people believe has all the tools to be an effective top-six forward — it’s a matter of the little things.

Related: Head Coach Dave Tippett Answers Six Burning Questions for Oilers

A “Good Start” for Tyson Barrie

When asked about how he’d like to rebound from last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tyson Barrie admitted that a slow start put him behind the 8-ball and he spent much of 2019-20 catching up and trying to win the fans back. He’s going to look to come out of the gates flying this season with the Oilers.

Expect the offense to heavily include Barrie and don’t be surprised if the defenseman gets on the board early and often for the Oilers. This is a player who can put up a ton of points when in the right situation. If he’s playing well to start the campaign, this could be a massive year for Barrie who wants to prove he’s an elite offensive defenseman.

As for his contributions to the Oilers top-level power play, Barrie says he doesn’t want to fix what isn’t broken. His goal is to help, maybe add a little something, but listen to the guys who had the best power play in the NHL last season.

Nugent-Hopkins Says This Is “As Deep a Group As We’ve Ever Had Here”

While he’s clearly talking only in reference to his time with the Oilers and not the team’s overall history in the league, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins said he likes the additions the Oilers made this offseason and called this the deepest team the Oilers have ever had.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Edmonton Oilers
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edmonton Oilers (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

The consensus seems to be that the Oilers are much deeper lines one-through-four than in year’s past. Nugent-Hopkins said:

“Ya, I think that’s the feeling among the whole group right now. We’ve been able to do some 5-on-5 skates together and the pace has been really high, a lot of plays being made. Just by seeing that, it gives you a lot of confidence. Seeing the guys that we brought in and knowing what they’re capable of, it’s exciting. I think you’re bang on, this is as deep a group as we’ve ever had here.”

Will the additions of depth forwards, a suitable third-line center and extra skill prove to be a winner? He seems to think so.

Related: NHL Rumors: Bruins, Maple Leafs, Sabres, Jets, Canadiens, More

Turris Wants to Prove That “People Are Right”

The Oilers have looked for a right-shot third-line center for years. It wasn’t until this past offseason that the team may have found one in Kyle Turris. He said he feels like he can be the guy that the Oilers are hoping he is.

He said, “I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that people are right. That I’m the guy to fill that spot.” Turris talked about the importance of being a strong two-way player and that he takes pride in being smart defensively. At the same time, offense is what he really likes and he’s looking forward to being creative on offense.

Could this be the player that allows the Oilers to continue rolling forwards as outlined at the start of the season? Not having to worry about finding someone to fill that third-line slot could be a huge factor in building chemistry in the top-nine.


Sign up for our regular 'Oilers Newsletter' for all the latest.

Catch up on all the latest NHL Rumors

  • Tags
  • Jesse Puljujarvi
  • Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
  • Tyson Barrie
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 23rd 3:23 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs Are Being Too Patient With the Puck

Jan 23rd 2:20 PM
Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins’ Pierre-Oliver Joseph Shines in NHL Debut

Jan 23rd 2:10 PM
Anaheim Ducks

Ducks Prospects: Lacombe, McLaughlin, Sundsvik & More

Jan 23rd 2:00 PM
Colorado Avalanche

Prospects News & Rumors: Clarke, Byram & Cozens

Jan 23rd 2:00 PM
New York Islanders

Islanders’ Kieffer Bellows Adapting to New Role

Jan 23rd 1:50 PM
Calgary Flames

Flames’ Monahan Vying to Be Best Center in North Division

Jan 23rd 1:40 PM
Columbus Blue Jackets

NHL Rumors: Oilers, Canucks, & Truth Behind Jets and Blue Jackets Trade

Jan 23rd 1:30 PM
Vancouver Canucks

Green Says Canucks Have Looked ‘a Little Immature at Times’ [Video]

Jan 23rd 1:20 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

5 Reasons Maple Leafs’ Fans Are Smiling After Friday’s Win Over Oilers

Jan 23rd 12:32 PM
New Jersey Devils

Top-5 Kansas City Scouts of All-Time

Editor’s Picks
2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

Wayne Gretzky Almost Joined the Detroit Red Wings

Wayne Gretzky Almost Joined the Detroit Red Wings

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information