Pulkkinen suffered a leg injury on Saturday and did not practice on Sunday. He will take part in warmups and then he and the team will make a decision whether or not he plays. If he is held out of the lineup, expect Daniel Cleary to play. Pulkkinen has no points and six shots in two games since being recalled.
Pulkkinen leads the AHL in goals (30) and points (57) and it looks like he he will get an awesome chance to succeed on Wednesday as he practiced with Henrik Zetterberg and Justin Abdelkader on Tuesday. It looks like Tomas Jurco will come out of the lineup for Pulkkinen.
The Red Wings finally sent Petr Mrazek back to Grand Rapids last night, creating a roster spot for Pulkkinen. The 23-year-old had one goal in six games with the Red Wings earlier in the season. He has dominated at the AHL level—he leads the NHL in goals with 30, which is seven more than second and points with 57, which is four more than second.
Pulkkinen, 23, scored his first career NHL goal last night vs. the Wild. With the Red Wing done until after the All Star break, Pulkkinen has been sent down, but could be recalled after the break if Johan Franzen and Tomas Jurco still are not ready
Pulkkinen, 23, leads the AHL with 20 goals and is tied for second in points with 39. He failed to record a point in three games with the Red Wings last season. He is likely to make his season debut on Saturday in Washington.
Pulkkinen shuffled in and out of the lineup during his first recall. In total he played three of five games, registering no points, two penalty minutes and four shots on goal. He has a rocket from the point on the power-play, and should be a solid scorer in a few years.
Pulkkinen was recalled last week, but never dressed for the Red Wings. He leads the Griffins in goals (26) and points (51), he also sits second on the team with 25 assists. Tomas Jurco left Tuesday's loss with an upper-body injury, so Pulkkinen will make his debut on Friday vs. Edmonton.
The Red Wings recalled Pulkkinen on Thursday as insurance for Daniel Alfredsson, who had teeth knocked out on Tuesday. Pulkkinen did not dress and will now head back to Grand Rapids.
Pulkkinen was selected in the fourth-round (111th overall) in 2010. He is in his first full season with Grand Rapids after playing with Jokerit Helsinki of the SM-liiga from 2008-13. In 58 games this season Pulkkinen has recorded 24 goals and 25 assists (49 points) in 58 games. As of right now it would seem he is doubtful to make his NHL debut tonight, but with the youth movement going on in Detroit because of injuries, don't be surprised to see him in the boxscore soon.
