4th Round Pick (111), Teemu Pulkkinen

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Is anyone else as excited about this kid as me? Pulkkinen is a RW sniper! I can't wait to read/see how he does in Traverse City. I've included scouting reports below for your reading enjoyment.

Source:

35. Teemu Pulkkinen, Right Wing, Jokerit- SM-Liiga:

Pulkkinen, who a few years ago was considered a top prospect for this year’s draft has fallen off a bit, however the dangerous Fin is still a player to look out for. Behind Hall, probably has the best goal-scorer’s shot in the entire draft. The puck comes off his stick so quickly it’s hard to follow even if you’re watching the play directly with a velocity that can only be described as dangerous. He can handle the puck very well and is great at eluding attacking defenders when he has the puck on his stick. He won’t zoom around the offensive zone; rather hover around in open areas. Teemu doesn’t have the skating ability to be constantly pursuing the puck, rather reading the play and asserting himself when needed, although he isn’t exactly the best in the physical areas of hockey. Defensively he’s a major liability to his team at times and will have to be coached to give up a little offense at times to help his team out with the flow heading against them. Skating may hold him back from being a high-end offensive option, still has the potential to be a top goal-scorer who can chip in assists.

Sauce:

http://thehockeywriters.com/prospect-profile-teemu-pulkkinen-jokerit-helsinki-sm-liiga/

This kid is the real deal guys. In mock drafts he was consistently ranked in the top 40 with many people ranking him as a 1st rounder.

Pulkkinen may end up being the steal of the draft. He just needs to stay healthy for a full season. I wouldn't be surprised to see Holland sign him to play in Grand Rapids (but only if he has a strong showing in Traverse City and the main training camp like Tatar did).

[luvmnger 125]

yeah...he looks exciting on the youtube feeds....

Mackenzie was surprised he was still around after the first round was over.

definitely looking like a steal.

[redwingfan19 293]

not going to get excited until this kid can proves he can stay healthy, but if he can they sky is the limit

[titanium2 867]

Is anyone else as excited about this kid as me? Pulkkinen is a RW sniper! I can't wait to read/see how he does in Traverse City. I've included scouting reports below for your reading enjoyment.

Source:

Sauce:

http://thehockeywriters.com/prospect-profile-teemu-pulkkinen-jokerit-helsinki-sm-liiga/

This kid is the real deal guys. In mock drafts he was consistently ranked in the top 40 with many people ranking him as a 1st rounder.

Pulkkinen may end up being the steal of the draft. He just needs to stay healthy for a full season. I wouldn't be surprised to see Holland sign him to play in Grand Rapids (but only if he has a strong showing in Traverse City and the main training camp like Tatar did).

Does this pick make up for passing on Toni Rajala last year?

[Aussie_Wing 354]

I feel like running around on the street celebrating in my Wings jersey.

My link

April 8, 2009: "This kid looks like he's going to be a superstar. He's absolutely electric 1-on-1 against a defender, and made a lot of highly ranked defenseman look absolutely silly. He's a natural goalscorer that could be among the tournament leaders in goals. I've heard a lot of good things about Taylor Hall, and I've been a huge Cam Fowler fan for years now, but Pulkkinen might be good enough to get consideration as the top overall pick in next year's draft."

April 21, 2010: "Teemu Pulkkinen is a kid that I thought was very under-rated in the draft, and being one of this tournament's leading scorers probably brings him back into the first round conversation again, though the way the tournament ended for him today probably doesn't help."

Final Analysis

It's tough to tell where Pulkkinen will go in the draft, because the final decision on whether to gamble on him will likely be made by medical professionals, rather than hockey people. Pulkkinen made the paperwork from all of his surgeries available to any NHL team that was interested, and it will be up to those teams to decide if he is a player that merely ran into some bad luck, or if these physical issues will be a perpetual problem.

Personally, I can't see a player of that talent slipping out of the first round, but he may slip into the middle of the second round or later if teams are nervous about his injury history.

If he stays fit he could be a huge, huge steal. The gamble was rightfully taken.

[Swayze 81]

41 points in 17 games last year?????? Holy s***!

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Does this pick make up for passing on Toni Rajala last year?

I thought Tatar did, but sure

[egroen 384]

Seen a lot of debates a couple years ago as to who would go first - Hall or Pulkkinen. Before the injuries many thought he would be NHL ready right out of the draft.

Total boom or bust here - could be a franchise player or could be the next Grigorenko.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Seen a lot of debates a couple years ago as to who would go first - Hall or Pulkkinen. Before the injuries many thought he would be NHL ready right out of the draft.

Total boom or bust here - could be a franchise player or could be the next Grigorenko.

Pretty harsh, before the accident he was well on his way to becoming a gun.

[Finnish Wing 110]

He probably plays at least a year in Jokerit to get a bigger role. Then after that year either another year in Jokerit or in GR. And after that between GR/DRW. After that it would be the contract year and if everything goes as planned he continues with us with a full year in the NHL.

[seeinred 1,488]

As an admitted Finn-slappy, I couldn't be happier about this pick. The only thing that would have made me happier is if Granlund had fallen to 21 (and there was no way that was happening). I'm seriously surprised we managed to snag him this late considering his skills and how highly the scouting reports speak of him. We're well on our way to icing a Finnish Five

[egroen 384]

Pretty harsh, before the accident he was well on his way to becoming a gun.

Just that Teemu could be derailed by injuries as well. Skill and talent is there to be elite talents.

[Original-Six 254]

Just that Teemu could be derailed by injuries as well.

Grigorenkos injuries were from a car accident that destroyed his leg and almost killed him.

[newfy 695]

Looking like we could have a 40 goal scorer here if he hits his potential and stays healthy?

I can't believe we got him this late. I can't believe Toronto doesn't pick a ghuy like this or Kabanov. Drafting Sam Carrick and Brad Ross isn't giving them anything they don't have in their system and isn't improving them at all.

[Original-Six 254]

I can't believe we got him this late. I can't believe Toronto doesn't pick a ghuy like this or Kabanov. Drafting Sam Carrick and Brad Ross isn't giving them anything they don't have in their system and isn't improving them at all.

Thats because the Leafs are run by a bunch of clowns

[egroen 384]

Grigorenkos injuries were from a car accident that destroyed his leg and almost killed him.

Thanks, I had no idea - thought he was injured dog sledding.

[Original-Six 254]

Thanks, I had no idea - thought he was injured dog sledding.

No problem

[Booster313 138]

How was Teemu injured?

[Original-Six 254]

How was Teemu injured?

Freak juggling accident.

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

Low risk, high reward?

Seems like something Newfy was looking for.

[dat's sick 1,002]

I hope he turns out as good as that other Teemu guy from Finland did.

edit: talking about Selanne.

Edited June 26, 2010 by dat's sick

[robb himself 143]

does anyone else have a feeling that this guy is going to rip it up at camp and get on with the Griffins just like Tatar did last year? I just see him blowing us away and making the jump right away...maybe even Sheahan and Jarnkrok as well...what do you guys think?

[Original-Six 254]

does anyone else have a feeling that this guy is going to rip it up at camp and get on with the Griffins just like Tatar did last year? I just see him blowing us away and making the jump right away...maybe even Sheahan and Jarnkrok as well...what do you guys think?

Sheahan will be playing at Notre Dame. As for Jarnkrok he doesn't have any contracts that he is obligated to that i know of. So it could be possible.

Edited June 26, 2010 by Original-Six

[Drake_Marcus 890]

does anyone else have a feeling that this guy is going to rip it up at camp and get on with the Griffins just like Tatar did last year? I just see him blowing us away and making the jump right away...maybe even Sheahan and Jarnkrok as well...what do you guys think?

Sheahan is committed to ND but I wouldn't be shocked to see Pulkkinen and Jarnkrok following in Tatar's footsteps. They both have the talent (especially Pulkkinen-- he's off the charts).

[titanium2 867]

Is it safe to say that Pulk is the pick that fans here are most excited about?

I think he was the only pick where a ton of Wings fans wanted him and the brass actually selected him.