How's Pulkkinen looking for the first few games?

[Flowah]

Thought I'd bump this and see what people thought of his play so far. He's potted a few goals. Saw on WIIM that the Wings track scoring chances for and against and they've concluded that Pulks creates more than he allows. That might be true but I've still personally not been that impressed so far. Wind up still takes a bit too long, his passing needs some serious work. I never thought he was slow in his NHL games so it's good to see that hasn't changed.

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[Bench]

Thought I'd bump this and see what people thought of his play so far. He's potted a few goals. Saw on WIIM that the Wings track scoring chances for and against and they've concluded that Pulks creates more than he allows. That might be true but I've still personally not been that impressed so far. Wind up still takes a bit too long, his passing needs some serious work. I never thought he was slow in his NHL games so it's good to see that hasn't changed.

He's done exactly what I'd expect. Score some goals. He's a complimentary goal scorer that you hope can put some pressure from the 3rd line and the powerplay.

He's a Niederreiter-esque complimentary scorer in role. You're pushing if you give him too many minutes, but in a limited role you hope to get 20-20 out of him. So he's a valuable piece if he can keep producing for your depth and if he isn't tasked with too much responsibility defensively.

 

[Tatar Shots]

He has been a turnover machine so far. He needs to round out his game if he wants to be more than a complimentary goal scorer that needs to be heavily sheltered. I wish they would put him at the top of the faceoff circle on the 2nd PP unit and revolve the PP around him; at least until Datsyuk, Green, and Richards return.

 

[lidstromiscool]

Pretty disappointed with him so far. Aside from the few goals he’s scored, he’s been terrible. Losing battles and a lot of turnovers. Still think he can be a 30 goal scorer, but he really needs to round out his game.

 

[Mijatovic]

Completely disagree. Been one of the teams better forwards and has been winning battles passing it in front of the net towards teammates and he has scored a few.

Cqnt really ask for much more. But of course, i expect no less from the average viewer. Mind gets caught up on his slapshot therefore must be all he does right. I called it before with Glendening and ill say the same with Pulkinnen. Will be a big part of the team going forward.

 

[Electric Eric]

Overall pretty 'Meh'

The goals are nice but he needs to be better in just about everything. Board battles, not turning over the puck, not telegraphing his shot like crazy. He's still very new to the NHL so I expect some learning curves which is why I'm not joining in on the OMGZ HES THE WORST THING SINCE TATAR MISSED THE NET.

Going to give him some time to have some growing pains. If after a while he doesnt show some sort of improvement then I'll reassess.

*Sheahan on the hand is driving me crazy. Someone needs to bump up his thread cause I'm to lazy to dig for it.

 

[Kronwalled55]

Pulkkinen has had a couple games that have made me shake my head, but I think he's been good overall. I think once he starts being opportunistic instead of trying to do too much he'll be great.

 

[GoAwayDanCleary]

Great start. Has definitely had his ups and downs but there is a lot of potential in this kid. He is more than just the shot and for what used to be a negative, his skating is really impressive.

 

[Flowah]

This is what I'm talking about!

Look at how polarized the opinions are. "Great start." "Can't ask for more." vs. "meh" and my own personal agreement of that.

That seems very odd to me. There's much more agreement on other players like Tatar, Larkin, Zetterberg, Sheahan. It's interesting to see this.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Pretty disappointed with him so far. Aside from the few goals he’s scored, he’s been terrible. Losing battles and a lot of turnovers. Still think he can be a 30 goal scorer, but he really needs to round out his game.

Agreed for the most part. He's been a bit of a turnover machine, trying to deke the puck way too much or making cute little passes through defenders, which doesn't work in the NHL if you're not Datsyuk.

Most of that stuff is the kind of things almost all players go through when they first get into the NHL though. I was hoping his experience last season would have had him play a more refined game this year but it looks like he still has some learning to do. At least he knows how to score goals.

This is what I'm talking about!

Look at how polarized the opinions are. "Great start." "Can't ask for more." vs. "meh" and my own personal agreement of that.

That seems very odd to me. There's much more agreement on other players like Tatar, Larkin, Zetterberg, Sheahan. It's interesting to see this.

It's amazing what a couple of goals can make people forget about. Especially a nice goal like the one against Vancouver. If he was at 0 goals right now, very few would be happy about his play. To me he's the weak link on the Tatar-Larkin line and one of many reasons we have been chasing the puck so much.

 

[GoAwayDanCleary]

Agreed for the most part. He's been a bit of a turnover machine, trying to deke the puck way too much or making cute little passes through defenders, which doesn't work in the NHL if you're not Datsyuk.

Most of that stuff is the kind of things almost all players go through when they first get into the NHL though. I was hoping his experience last season would have had him play a more refined game this year but it looks like he still has some learning to do. At least he knows how to score goals.


It's amazing what a couple of goals can make people forget about. Especially a nice goal like the one against Vancouver. If he was at 0 goals right now, very few would be happy about his play. To me he's the weak link on the Tatar-Larkin line and one of many reasons we have been chasing the puck so much.

But he has 4 goals so that doesn't really matter. I think some expectations are way too high or something... gotta remember he's a rookie.

 

[TheRatPoisoner]

At least he's not missing the net by so 10 feet and sending it around the boards and out of the O-zone every time he shoots now. That was maddening when used to do that all the time. I think it'll take more time for him to acclimate to the game at the NHL level, but I think he'll wind up being an effective player like Tats and Nyquist at the end of the day. Agree with what everyone else is say though -- the guy really needs to round out his overall game.

 

[The Zermanator]

But he has 4 goals so that doesn't really matter. I think some expectations are way too high or something... gotta remember he's a rookie.

Yeah, don't let Larkin distort what can be reasonably expected from a rookie.

With how Tatar, Sheahan, Abdelkader and Co. have played, Pulkkinen has looked pretty damn good, at least in terms of production. Larkin and Zetterberg are doing great. Apart from them, Nyquist and Pulkkinen are the only ones who have pulled their weight. Though to be fair, Tatar is starting to put up more numbers.

 

[Mijatovic]

If you go back and watch, Pulkinnen has multiple times won a board battle in teh offensive zone and gotten the puck out in front of the net. Just because noone has taken advantage of that shouldn't be a mark against him.

I dont expect him to get above a third-line player but he really will be great in that role. Certainly more than a few players need to be looked at before Pulkinnen.

 

[Pavels Dog]

But he has 4 goals so that doesn't really matter. I think some expectations are way too high or something... gotta remember he's a rookie.

Yeah his production so far is good. As long as he keeps scoring he is useful even if his overall game leaves a lot to be desired imo.

 

[gcdc14]

Does anyone else agree that he seems a much faster skater this year?

 

[Mijatovic]

Does anyone else agree that he seems a much faster skater this year?

Just seems that way because just about everyone else on the team is in cruise control and only he Larkin and Zetterberg are hustling.

 

[The Zermanator]

Does anyone else agree that he seems a much faster skater this year?

I think he's faster, but I don't think speed was a problem last year. Pulkkinen is fine for speed in a straight line, but needs to work on his turning and lateral speed.

 

[steafo]

I don't think he's been as bad with turnovers as Tatar thus far. I feel like he's never going to catch a break on these boards. He's never going to be a defensive star, and he isn't going to wow you game in and game out. He's a goal scorer. He needs to be fed the puck and let the shot go. He just needs to work on finding soft spots in coverage and hope to get the puck.

 

[MMANumminen]

Best for him would be a trade to another team. Also Detroit don't need him so a swap for a young dman would serve everyone

 

[SoupNazi]

Best for him would be a trade to another team. Also Detroit don't need him so a swap for a young dman would serve everyone

Why do you think that?

 

[LeftBackLegend]

Yeah his production so far is good. As long as he keeps scoring he is useful even if his overall game leaves a lot to be desired imo.

Yeah heaven forbid someone who actually found the net should be on this lineup.

 

[Frk It]

This feels a lot like Hudler. 5'9ish one way forward who is a 3rd liner and PP specialist. Good offensive players, but catch flak in games when they're not on the score sheet for lack of complete game.

 

[Konnan511]

4th in points on the team, 3rd in +/-. Might as well trade him because he's useless.

 

[lilidk]

Why do you think that?

I think player like Fillpula will help him a lot , someone who knows how to carry he pock into the zone an give a pass , so trade him to Tampa and just hope he doesn't scores a lot against the Wings