McDavid: 'It's great to see' Puljujarvi thriving at Oilers camp

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid is excited to watch teammate Jesse Puljujarvi excel at training camp after the winger's roller-coaster NHL journey.

"He's a huge part of our team," McDavid told reporters Friday.

He added: "I think if he can make strides like he looks like he has then that's big for our team ... I think (it's) just communicating with him, keeping his confidence up."

The Oilers selected Puljujarvi fourth overall in 2016. He's struggled to carve out a permanent role with the club and spent last season playing overseas.

The 22-year-old led Karpat of the Finnish League with 53 points through 56 games in 2019-20. Oilers head coach Dave Tippett expressed his confidence in Puljujarvi's growth, calling him "a different player" in the fall.

McDavid believes the 6-foot-4 winger will thrive if he can maintain his positive demeanor on the ice.

"He's got the biggest smile and is such a happy guy playing hockey," he said. "He loves the game, loves to be out there so you've just got to keep that love for the game.

"I mean you could see he was probably losing it a little bit at the end of his time with us in his first stint, so it's great to see him come back and look so excited and so happy playing the game."

Puljujarvi has amassed 17 goals and 20 assists over 137 career contests and should get an opportunity in the Oilers' top-six forward group to begin the season.