The Minnesota Wild are hoping that Teemu Pulkkinen’s AHL stats mean something. They’ve claimed the 24-year-old winger off waivers from Detroit.
Pulkkinen has twice scored more than 30 goals in a single AHL season. His big right-handed shot helped him to 31 in 2013-14 and then 34 in 2014-15 for Grand Rapids.
But for whatever reason (some have suggested his skating is an issue), his minor-league success has yet to translate into big NHL numbers. In 70 games with the Red Wings, he has 11 goals and nine assists.
In Minnesota, Pulkkinen will join a team that bought out right winger Thomas Vanek this past offseason. If Pulkkinen plays well, he could push for a spot in the top six. But again, he still has a lot to prove.
The Wild’s leading goal-scorer in 2015-16 was Zach Parise, who had 25. Charlie Coyle, their top right-winger, had 21 goals.
Wild GM Chuck Fletcher on Teemu Pulkkinen: "It's hard to score goals in this league and we thought his talent is high-end."
— Ryan Kennedy (@THNRyanKennedy) October 11, 2016