signed Pulkkinen re-signs.... 1 year deal

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Pulkkinen is a slapshot. That's what makes him so one dimensional. Yes, he does work hard, but because of his size and skating, he's not effective. He didn't find open ice to get his shot off. He didn't effectively use his line mates. Despite his effort, he didn't look like he really knew what he was doing in his own end, hard work =/= good work. As far as the comparisons to other players, Tatar and Nyquist both skated far better and looked like they were trying to make plays happen their first 30-40 games, Pulkkinen looked like he was just waiting for the puck. Brett Hull spent a lot of time waiting to uncork a slapper too, but he moved around trying to find an open spot, Pulkkinen hasn't so far in his NHL time.

IF he makes some adjustments, he can be an effective NHL player, but I don't see him as ever being more than a complimentary player and PP specialist who needs linemates who make things happen. I'd far rather have guys who look to make things happen than let things come to them.

[krsmith17 7,191]

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...

[rick zombo 3,739]

Pulkkinen is a slapshot.

Has he never scored with a backhand, wrist, or snapshot? Crazy.

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...

Wisdom.

[kickazz 5,459]

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...

I have no issue with this. If that's what his use is then he will fit the role well and I would be all for it.

But I won't lie his 31 games or so in the NHL we less impressive to me than Tatar or Nyquist's were as far as overall performance.

That doesn't mean he won't be able to adjust either.

[e_prime 1,936]

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...

Elite two-way superstar or GTFO.

[LeftWinger 4,951]

He is a slapshot?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDvxiYwGksA

That was such a rocket of a slapshot there!

Edited July 23, 2015 by LeftWinger

[Rivalred 630]

He is a slapshot?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDvxiYwGksA

That was such a rocket of a slapshot there!

Fresh off the bench, right time right place?

[Echolalia 2,961]

The problem i see with Pulkinen isn't that I don't think he has the potential to be a solid goal scorer (I do). I'm concerned that he may not get a sufficient opportunity to develop his skills at the NHL level. When Pulkkinen isn't scoring, there really isn't much else he brings to the table, and with the Wings' roster saturated with forwards, if Pulkinen isn't helping the team out, someone else will take his spot and do their thing instead. Jurco is a big body that can be effective on the forecheck and in the corners. Anderson and Miller and Glendening are all solid defensive players who can eat up minutes and kill penalties. Maybe Callahan can bring energy to the game every night and provide a little sandpaper in front of the net and along the boards. Maybe Ferraro decides he liked playing in the NHL and keeps improving to hold onto that job. There are a lot of guys who can help the Wings out in a lot of different ways, and many of these guys have found at least one thing they can do on a nightly basis at an effective level. Pulkkinen's niche was goalscorer and he hasn't been able to translate to the NHL yet. The question is how long will Blashill keep Pulkkinen in the lineup to try to adapt that aspect of his game (and provide very little else in the meantime) and hold someone else out of the lineup who could potentially be a bigger help to the Wings in some other aspect of the game? I don't know the answer to that. Maybe Blashill is willing to be very patient with him and keep someone else scratched for the potential long-term investment, or maybe Pulkkinen learns to be a solid two-way guy or penalty killer to round his game out a bit and give Blash another reason to keep dressing him.

At least it looks like Datsyuk won't be in the lineup to start the season, and who knows what's going on with Franzen, and there's sure to be an obligatory injury or two to someone else, so at the start of the season I think Pulkkinen will see ice time. But if he doesn't find a niche he can be effective in by the time people start getting healthy again we might see him scratched out of the lineup before he has a chance to become that right-handed sniper we've been wanting to see on the squad.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

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...

There is nothing wrong with that, but some people are acting like he's some kind of goal scoring God who will score 40+ a year and anyone who disagrees is a hater.

[krsmith17 7,191]

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...

[gcom007 1,465]

There is nothing wrong with that, but some people are acting like he's some kind of goal scoring God who will score 40+ a year and anyone who disagrees is a hater.

I thought that was all of our prospects until the collective decides they're the worst after 15 games or so?

[FlashyG 1,799]

There is nothing wrong with that, but some people are acting like he's some kind of goal scoring God who will score 40+ a year and anyone who disagrees is a hater.

Negativity and Pulkamania, 2 things that don't go together brother.

NHL...Whatcha gonna do when the Pulkster runs wild on you?

[LeftWinger 4,951]

Brilliant! I didn't even notice the crowd until the 2nd time I looked or it! Awesome! I was searching hard for the famous Hudler face or Doan face, but still absolutely brilliant!

[FlashyG 1,799]

Brilliant! I didn't even notice the crowd until the 2nd time I looked or it! Awesome! I was searching hard for the famous Hudler face or Doan face, but still absolutely brilliant!

damn. I wish I had thought of the Hudler face. I could've used one to replace Eddie O.

[kickazz 5,459]

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...

The proposition is he COULD be. That's the problem, no one is claiming he's going to tank it from game one. All is being pointed out is the flaws that should/will be improved upon. There's not need to be offended by this it's just opinions. I respect your opinion and hope you are right.

But then you have people making up narratives saying "Oh did you hear? Pulkinnen sucks now" Childish.

Edited July 24, 2015 by kickazz

[Helmethead 235]

The training! The prayers! The vitamins! Well you know mean gene, when the 24 inch pythons get around that stick and score lots of goals brother! And whatcha gonna do brother when Pulkamania runs wild on you?

[kliq 3,755]

The proposition is he COULD be. That's the problem, no one is claiming he's going to tank it from game one. All is being pointed out is the flaws that should/will be improved upon. There's not need to be offended by this it's just opinions. I respect your opinion and hope you are right.

What's being pointed out are certain posters perception of his flaws. Whether that perception is actually reality is the big question. You are entitled to your opinion that he has flaws, just as krsmith17 is entitled to his opinion that his flaws are being overblown. Personally I have not watched enough AHL games to truly have a strong opinion on the matter. I will say this though, people on here have a tendency to exaggerate things, and once a narrative is created for a player, its very hard to break that narrative (ie. Quincey sucks).

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Negativity and Pulkamania, 2 things that don't go together brother.

NHL...Whatcha gonna do when the Pulkster runs wild on you?

that's the most disturbing thing I've seen since the last time I had sex with my ex-wife

[Helmethead 235]

Your statement is disturbing in itself.

Edited July 24, 2015 by Helmethead

[kickazz 5,459]

What's being pointed out are certain posters perception of his flaws. Whether that perception is actually reality is the big question. You are entitled to your opinion that he has flaws, just as krsmith17 is entitled to his opinion that his flaws are being overblown. Personally I have not watched enough AHL games to truly have a strong opinion on the matter. I will say this though, people on here have a tendency to exaggerate things, and once a narrative is created for a player, its very hard to break that narrative (ie. Quincey sucks).

The funny thing is, some of us (like myself) are pointing out flaws and leaving it at that, but others who are making excuses or countering the argument regarding Pulk's 'flaws' are making it out to be as though we're claiming Pulk sucks. If you look at some of the other threads this trend is already being posted by the pro-pulk posters as a defense mechanism in the debate that's been going on.

"Didn't you hear? Pulk sucks" - sarcasm from the pro-pulk posters is what helps push made up narratives and really prevents holding up adult-like debates.

It's never a bad thing to bounce off ideas and opinions but getting personal about it or defensive to the point where your statements are full of fallacies and ridiculous defense mechanisms (i.e using sarcasm to say "People are saying Pulk sucks").. well therein lies the problem and cause of the exaggerations you mention.

People get too damn sensitive.

Edited July 24, 2015 by kickazz

[Helmethead 235]

It's the off season. We all miss Red Wings hockey. That's why I come to this site and contact a Delhi call girl.

[kliq 3,755]

The funny thing is, some of us (like myself) are pointing out flaws and leaving it at that, but others who are making excuses or countering the argument regarding Pulk's 'flaws' are making it out to be as though we're claiming Pulk sucks. If you look at some of the other threads this trend is already being posted by the pro-pulk posters as a defense mechanism in the debate that's been going on.

"Didn't you hear? Pulk sucks" - sarcasm from the pro-pulk posters is what helps push made up narratives and really prevents holding up adult-like debates.

It's never a bad thing to bounce off ideas and opinions but getting personal about it or defensive to the point where your statements are full of fallacies and ridiculous defense mechanisms (i.e using sarcasm to say "People are saying Pulk sucks").. well therein lies the problem and cause of the exaggerations you mention.

People get too damn sensitive.

Sure, but I dont think "liability on the ice, like some people believe he is / will be... He's not nearly as bad defensively as some are claiming" fits into that category.

[kickazz 5,459]

Sure, but I dont think "liability on the ice, like some people believe he is / will be... He's not nearly as bad defensively as some are claiming" fits into that category.

Sure does.

"Could be" =/= "he is/ will be"

[krsmith17 7,191]

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...

[kickazz 5,459]

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...

Hey! I only said garbage defensively because I believe you called our argument to be "garbage" or something along those lines. I was merely playing into your language usage. I generally don't like using such words to describe a pro player.

Well maybe if I'm mad during the game.