The Red Wings knocked down another assignment from their offseason priorities list on Tuesday involving Teemu Pulkkinen.
The #RedWings have agreed to a one-year deal with Teemu Pulkkinen. Last season, the 23-year-old produced eight points in 31 games with DET.
— The Wheel Deal (@Bill_Roose) July 21, 2015
Said to have a shot that reminds one of some guy named Brett Hull, Pulkkinen in limited time showed off that rocket of his, producing five goals in 31 games played. Used primarily in the bottom six by former Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock, the 23-year old Fin saw limited time on the power play, averaging 11:29 minutes a night. Easing players into the NHL, especially with someone that has as much potential as Pulkkinen has, is crucial, but using him for what he does best could pay the most dividends.
Under head coach Jeff Blashill in Grand Rapids, fresh off of breaking Teemu Selanne’s scoring records in Finland, he posted back-to-back 30+ goal seasons, including 34 goals in 46 AHL games this season. All Pulkkinen did in the postseason? 14 goals in 16 games played. He also had a stretch of scoring at least one goal in eight consecutive games, tying a Griffins franchise record.
“He just keeps going. A machine-like scorer. That’s going to translate at some point.”
-Mike Babcock
It’s evident Jeff Blashill has experience with the young forward in getting him adjusted to the North American game. With the head coach coming up to the Red Wings and Pulkkinen getting a roster spot from the start of the season, the timing could not have been more perfect for the Finnish star to raise his game to another level.
On a one-year, $735K deal, he has a lot to prove.
Main Photo:
stats courtesy of hockeydb and hockey reference
tweet courtesy of @Bill_Roose
quote courtesy of Detroit Free Press
