Blashill: Wings' Pulkkinen can be 'real special player'

For young players trying to elbow their way into the lineup, it doesn't hurt to have a fan in the guy making the decisions.

That's what forward Teemu Pulkkinen has in new Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill, who, until this summer, was Pulkkinen's coach in the minors. Pulkkinen heads into what will be his first full NHL season -- he no longer is waiver-exempt, and general manager Ken Holland has said that Pulkkinen will be on the Wings' roster -- having scorched his last AHL season. Pulkkinen produced 34 goals among 61 points in 46 games for the Grand Rapids Griffins, adding another 18 points in 16 playoff games. He also spent 31 games with the Wings, scoring five goals among eight points.

"With Teemu, we saw little flashes when he was up," Blashill told the Free Press. "But what he did when in the American Hockey League, in terms of his impact on games on a nightly basis, was beyond, really, anybody that I had seen in the league. He dominated the American League to a level that you hope that, if you can transfer that to the NHL, he could become a real special player."

Tomas Tatar and Gustav Nyquist made the transition from stand-out AHLer to regular NHLer. Like Tatar, Pulkkinen is on the smaller side. Pulkkinen's assets are highlighted by a blistering right-handed shot, which should be a welcome addition to a team heavy on lefties. He could find a fit on the third line and as a power-play point man.

"I just need a chance," Pulkkinen said. "I know I can score in this league, and I'm going to show that. If I score goals, I'm going to play. I just have to get a couple of lucky ones in the start."

Even with Pavel Datsyuk expected to miss October, there will be competition for roster spots now that Johan Franzen has been cleared to play. Rookie Dylan Larkin could also use the exhibition season to push for a spot.

Pulkkinen knows he has to work hard, because "it's up to me whether I am going to play or not," he said. "I have to score goals and I have to make plays and then I am probably going to get my chance."

Having Blashill on his side can't hurt, even as Pulkkinen knows he will be on a shorter leash than when he was the go-to guy in Grand Rapids.

"It's a different game when you play a lot," he said. "It's easier to play when you get your ice time; it's easier when you know you are playing a lot, because even if you make one mistake, it doesn't matter. When you are playing less, you have to be kind of careful what you are doing. You can't do anything stupid, or you are not going to play."

Contact Helene St. James: hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames. Download our free Red Wings Xtra app on your Apple and Android devices.