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Columbus Blue Jackets: Looking Back at Puljujarvi vs Dubois

By William Espy

BUFFALO, NY - JUNE 23: NHL draft prospects Jakob Chychrun, Logan Brown, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Charles McAvoy, Patrik Laine, Matthew Tkachuk and Jesse Puljujarvi (L-R) arrive at the Top Prospects Media Availability portion of the 2016 NHL Draft at the Erie Basin Marina on June 23, 2016 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Jen Fuller/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - JUNE 23: NHL draft prospects Jakob Chychrun, Logan Brown, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Charles McAvoy, Patrik Laine, Matthew Tkachuk and Jesse Puljujarvi (L-R) arrive at the Top Prospects Media Availability portion of the 2016 NHL Draft at the Erie Basin Marina on June 23, 2016 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Jen Fuller/Getty Images) /
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When the Columbus Blue Jackets drafted Canadian Pierre-Luc Dubois over the Finnish Jesse Puljujarvi in the 2016 NHL Draft, many people questioned Blue Jackets management.

Many Columbus Blue Jackets fans were ready to purchase their brand new Puljujarvi jerseys as soon as John Davidson stepped up to the podium. However it wasn’t meant to be and Dubois has been the right pick ever sense.

With Pierre-Luc Dubois looking like a future superstar for the Blue Jackets and Jesse Puljujarvi in the middle of trade rumors early in his career, it appears that Jarmo Kekalainen and Ville Siren knew something that the rest of the hockey world did not.

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Jesse Puljujarvi has played parts of two seasons at the NHL level for the Edmonton Oilers. In 93 games, he has only put up 28 points on a team where he’s had the opportunity to be on the ice with Connor McDavid.

He’s done decently in the AHL with the Bakersfield Condors putting up 28 points in 39 games, however his stats at either level are nothing close to what was expected of him.

Pierre-Luc Dubois has been the exact opposite of Puljujarvi. Many people expected him to be a middle six forward, likely a wing with very little future at the center ice position. Instead he’s developed into the Columbus Blue Jackets first line center and put up a total of 48 points in 82 games.

Jesse Puljujarvi has struggled with the puck as well, with a total of 50 giveaways in his short NHL career compared to Dubois’ 29. Dubois on the other hand has made it up with 38 takeaways while Puljujarvi has only had 27. Hits and blocked shots are also not close whatsoever. Dubois has put up a total of 46 blocked shots and 127 hits compared to Puljujarvi’s 33 and 78 respectively.

Next: Next Year’s Columbus Blue Jackets will be Most Talented in Franchise History

It appears that Jarmo Kekalainen’s most risky move to date as an NHL general manager is paying off and the Columbus Blue Jackets will benefit from this decision for years to come.

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