No longer exempt from waivers, Teemu Pulkkinen is hoping that this is the year he sticks in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings.
“I just need a chance,” the Finnish forward told MLive. “I know I can play in this league. It’s all about the chance.”
Pulkkinen, 23, split last season between the NHL, where he had five goals in 31 games for the Wings, and the AHL, where he had 34 goals (the most in the AHL) in 46 games for Grand Rapids and was named to the league’s first all-star team.
New Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill knows Pulkkinen’s game well from their time together in the AHL.
“He’s got to be accountable defensively, he’s got to stop in the D-zone, he’s got to play from the right side of the puck, but he also has to score goals,” Blashill said.
“I believe he will. Time will tell.”