krsmith17

I don't expect you to say anything, just found it quite humorous that the only thing you acknowledged was the one word "garbage"... Whatever though, it's all good...

That's really the only part that you're going to address kickazz? Nothing about your previous comment that I quoted? Okay... Yes, number9, we get it... You said it again...

I don't disagree with your assessment at all. I agree 100% that he even looked disinterested at times, not engaged in the play. However, is it even a remote possibility that it could have been even a tiny bit to do with his injury? Is it possible that he could have had some discomfort in his right leg throughout the season? Not saying he did, but it is certainly a possibility, is it not? That was definitely a huge knock on him in his draft year, but I watched a ton of him in the 2013-14 season in Val d'Or, and pace wasn't an issue with him that year at all in my opinion. I get that he was "a man amongst boys" down there, but he still skated circles around them offensively and got back defensively as well. I still believe with a full training camp, he will be a totally different player this coming season... Like I said before though, I don't think anyone really disagrees that his season was a little disappointing, I just don't think it was as terrible as some people, including Devellano, make it seem...

kickazz, to be fair, there have been a few posters on here that have said "Pulkkinen sucks", whether they were serious or just baiting is up for debate... You even said yourself on page two of this thread, "if he ends up sucking like a lot of posters here predict..." ??? We get it, you along with a few others don't think Pulkkinen's game will transition to the NHL, because he's "garbage defensively" and he's "slow" and he "can't get open ice" and he "isn't big enough", but I think his lack of a defensive game is overstated, and it has improved immensely over the past two years in that area. The same goes for his skating, he really isn't that slow, he just has a very awkward looking stride. I think he will transition well to the NHL, in the sense that he will be a productive 2nd/3rd line player and power-play specialist. We shall see...

Excuses? I think they're facts... He did get injured, did he not? It was a very serious injury, was it not? Like I said, I'm not making "excuses" for the entire season, I'm saying it definitely had an effect on his game out of the gate. Not starting on time and struggling out of the gate absolutely affected his confidence, and he never regained that confidence which in turn effected his entire season. Should it have lingered throughout the entire season and into the playoffs? Hell no. He did have a disappointing season, but the most disappointing part of his season was the injury itself that started the whole thing. Had he not gotten injured, I believe he would have gotten 50+ points in 70 games, just as I believe he will get 60-70 points in 60-70 games this coming season. Anyway, I don't think we really disagree that much here, I may be a little defensive because of your previous statement about how "Mantha sucks"... However, I guess I should know by now to take most of what you say with a grain of salt... I'm assuming that was said in jest?...

A Larkin like transition? Give me a break. Larkin played a grand total of 6 games in Grand Rapids. Sure, he looked great, but anyone can pull that off in such a small sample size, especially coming off an unbelievable college season, World Juniors, and World Championships. I'm willing to bet that Mantha could have pulled off similar numbers in the 2014 playoffs with the Griffins, if Val d'Or didn't go on such a deep run, winning the President's Cup and going on to play for the Memorial Cup. Confidence is huge in any professional sport, and hockey is no different. Larkin was coming into the Calder Cup playoffs oozing confidence, just as Mantha would have a year prior. Instead, Mantha came into training camp last offseason oozing confidence and looking great, and then fractured his right tibia, and as a result was out for 2 months, missing the Red Wings training camp and the Griffins training camp, and just never got his game on track after that. Some act as such a serious leg injury is no big deal, and he should have immediately regained form. I do think he had a rough season, and he probably should have ended the regular season on a more positive note, or at the very least should have been more of an impact by playoffs. However, I do believe that we will see a completely different player in Grand Rapids this season. I expect he will hover at or around a point per game pace the entire season. Here's to hoping...

Well that someone isn't me... I do however believe he could potentially become a 25-30 goal scorer once he reaches his prime... that while not being a liability on the ice, like some people believe he is / will be... He's not nearly as bad defensively as some are claiming, and we don't need all defensive dynamos up front. We could however use a pure goal scorer with an unbelievable shot up front...

Read that earlier too zombo. Great read, but I figured it would fall on deaf ears around here...

I'm not a big fan of HF either, because for the most part the articles are written by fans like you or I. Also, I'm not sure when that was written, but it very well could have been written a few years ago, which back then, I would agree with the assessment. However, both his skating and his defensive awareness have come a LONG way in the past couple years, since joining the Griffins. I was hoping to find the intermission interview from a game toward the end of the season (or it may have been in the playoffs) of Blashill speaking on Pulkkinen's game, and how much it has evolved since entering the league... no such luck. He was basically saying how far he has come rounding out his game, and his attention to detail in all three zones is night and day from when he came over to North American 2 years ago... Just like any label given by a player, it's very difficult to shake, and Pulkkinen's skating and defensive ability is no different. He came into the league, not understanding the concept of back-checking, now he concentrates on the defensive end almost as much as the offensive end... I'm sure he's not quite there yet, but the point is, I don't necessarily want him to be. As long as he is willing to back-check, he doesn't need to be a Selke candidate. I'd much prefer him play a solid, well rounded game, but concentrate on putting the puck in the net... Pulkkinen was a 4th round draft pick 5 years ago... What is wrong with him being a complimentary player, getting 3rd line minutes and being a weapon on the power-play? I don't get it at all... He's a player we've been looking for for quite some time now. He is a goal scorer and if he becomes half as good as some of us expect him to be, he will be a really good player for the Red Wings...

LOL yup, his defensive game is atrocious, probably the worst I've seen... I cannot wait for this season to start...

Helmethead, no shame in admitting you haven't watched Pulkkinen in Grand Rapids, I just wish some others would do the same, because this one-dimensional, no back-checking garbage is getting old pretty quick... Watch a few games of Pulkkinen in the American League and decide how "one-dimensional" he is...

How exactly does Holland "sound different"? Every single off-season, pre-season, training camp, Kenny has always said that so and so prospect will be given every opportunity to make the Red Wings... They never do, and for good reason. These kids need time to develop. Larkin will turn 19 next week, he has played one season (35 games) of college hockey and one partial playoff (6 games) in the American League. As high as we all are on this kid, and as good as he has looked every step of the way, I don't think he is ready for the grind of an 82 game season at the highest level, against the best players in the world. He would absolutely benefit from a full season in Grand Rapids, and I'm very confident that he will get that...

kickazz, as I stated above, Pulkkinen isn't nearly as one-dimensional as some people claim. He works his ass off in all three zones, and he absolutely does back-check. Chances are he's not going to be a Selke candidate or anything, but it's not like he watches the play go the other way and just coasts back... All of this "one-dimensional" bullsh*t is exactly that... bullsh*t. People think just because he was an offensive machine in the American League, he doesn't get involved on the defensive side of things. That simply isn't true... Not a single person is saying that Pulkkinen should get 19 minutes a night against the other teams top lines. As far as I know, everyone including myself think he should and are expecting him to get 3rd line minutes and along with the power-play. My bet is, Pulkkinen is no worse than Nyquist or Tatar defensively or on the back-check when they first entered the league. Both are probably better at this point, and like them, Pulkkinen will improve in that area as well...

Exactly Dabura! People keep complaining about the fact that Pulkkinen is "one-dimensional" (which he isn't nearly as people claim...), but I'd love to have a guy that concentrates mainly on the offensive side of the puck. Like you said, we have more than enough two-way, defensively sound forwards, give me a guy that can put the puck in the net. Pulkkinen IS that guy. I truly believe that he couldn't have been used much worse last season. The fact that he was playing the middle of the ice the majority of his power-play minutes is mind-boggling to me. Blashill used him on the left side of the ice, whether it be the left point, left halfboards or left faceoff dot, he was always there waiting to get off that nasty one-timer. Assuming he will continue to be used in that same fashion, he will be a weapon on the power-play. Give him 3rd line-minutes with the likes of Sheahan and Jurco and he will figure out how to produce 5 on 5 as well. He has produced at every level of hockey he's ever played. The fact that people are doubting he can get it done in the NHL with a measly 34 games under his belt, producing at a similar clip as Tatar and Nyquist when they entered the league, after tearing up the AHL, is a little disturbing to me... Like I've said before, I'm rooting for the kid, I think he has the potential to be a very good Red Wing. Time will tell...

30 goals this season? I'd say there's little to no chance... 25-30 goals per year, once he reaches his prime? I don't think that's at all out of the question...

Well said Buppy. I couldn't agree more. I'm fully confident that those that are saying "Pulkkinen sucks...", are either trolling... or haven't had the opportunity to watch him play a whole lot. If you truly believe that "all he has is a shot", you clearly haven't watched him enough. He isn't overly fast, but he is far from slow, and he works his ass off. I don't think he's a can't miss prospect, but to think that there's no way his minor league success can translate to the pros is crazy. He's been a more productive player than both Nyquist and Tatar at every level, but yeah, he sucks... mmhmm... Babcock was a terrible coach for a player like Pulkkinen, Blashill has been and will continue to be a great coach for Pulkkinen...

Agree with you both, Buppy and kickazz. If there is one thing that shouldn't be in question about the Detroit Red Wings, it's the way they develop their players. For the most part, after being drafted, most of these kids need a year or two in juniors / college / over seas to prepare themselves for the pro game. Then they need another year or two... or three in the minors to prepare themselves for the NHL game. Especially when it comes to later round draft picks, I think 4 - 5 years after being drafted is a pretty good timeline... I definitely don't believe that Nyquist was kept down in Grand Rapids too long, he only benefitted from spending so much time developing his game down there. That Calder Cup Championship probably didn't hurt him much either... I also think Jurco should have spent another year or two down in Grand Rapids. He would have benefitted greatly from some more time developing his game, dominating competition and gaining confidence. Instead he was thrown into the NHL too early, struggled to put up points, was given little ice time (compared to what he would have gotten in the minors) and found himself sitting out some games. I think Jurco will be fine, and getting his old coach back should definitely help his game going forward.

There's no doubt he will be with the big club. He would have to clear waivers to get sent down, and he would definitely get claimed. I'm expecting him to be a fixture on the 3rd line and 2nd power-play unit under Blashill.

Sorry to hear about your sister roboturner, great story though. I'm one of the bigger Cleary fans around here I'm sure, being a fellow Newf and all... I've met Cleary several times, as my cousin trains with him when he come home every summer. I also have a personalized autographed Cleary jersey hung up on my wall. And I was actually in the little parade that went through his hometown (Harbour Grace) when he brought home the Cup in the summer of '08. He truly is an amazing individual, and as much as I would love Cleary to be "able" to play next season, he really is done, and he should hang them up. I would love nothing more, for him to be offered some sort of job (strength and conditioning coach) within the organization...

I wasn't sure where to put this, but here seemed as good a place as any... Griffins have re-signed Alden Hirschfeld, as well as college free agents, Dominic Zombo (son of former Red Wing, Rick) and Derek Docken... You have to think that some of these guys are going to end up in Toledo. I'm not sure if there's such thing as too much depth, but we've got to be pretty damn close...

I think both Jurco and Pulkkinen will sign for under a mil each. Somewhere around the $900K range, Jurco likely getting slightly more. I think both will be 3rd liners with some time up on the 2nd, when the inevitable injury hits... Pulkkinen will likely see a lot more time on the power-play. I'm going to say Jurco nets 12 and Pulkkinen nets 17 (over half coming with the man advantage...).

Of all the vets on the team, I believe that Paetsch is just as, or more important than any of them, including captain Hoggan and top point producer Miele. As long as the whole gambling thing doesn't effect him playing next season, and it isn't a distraction for him or the team, he will be a very important part of the team once again. We have lots of veteran leadership up front, we definitely need some on the back end, Paetsch is a perfect fit. I hope he is paired back with Sproul again and he can really get him going this season. I still have high hopes for Sproul, but he hasn't quite figured out how to defend at the pro level yet. I'm hoping Paetsch can really help him in that regard.

Pulkkinen. Is. Not. Slow... He's not lightning fast by any means, but he has no trouble keeping pace at the NHL level.

Yup, random LGW posters can spot Pulkkinen's deficiencies, but pro scouts, coaches and general managers have no idea... Trade him before they catch on. I mean, all he has is the hardest, most accurate shot this team has seen since Brett Hull... Maybe we should see if some idiot GM would take Mantha off our hands too, before they realize he's lazy and soft...

Yeah, apparently it went right over amato's head too haha. I'd be all for signing Meyer. I was kidding about how others were saying some of our top prospects "suck"... Zero risk, potential high reward... Sounds good to me.