Detroit Red Wings training camp - Saturday

Red Wings prospect Teemu Pulkkinen (56) skates the puck up the ice during their training camp at Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City Saturday.

(Mike Mulholland/MLive.com)

TRAVERSE CITY – Detroit Red Wings prospect Teemu Pulkkinen knows what to do when he gets the puck – shoot it, as hard and as quickly as he can.

But it's Pulkkinen's play without the puck that might determine when he'll get an extended opportunity in the NHL.

Pulkkinen made a successful transition to North American hockey in his first full AHL season in 2013-14, leading the Grand Rapids Griffins in scoring during the regular season (31 goals, 59 points in 71 games) and playoffs (five goals 11 points in 10 games).

The right-handed shooting Finnish forward got a brief look from the Red Wings (three games, no points). He's hoping to spend more time with the big club this season.

"Teemu's a competitor, Teemu wants to do things it takes to win," Griffins coach Jeff Blashill said. "He's got a great shot. He can score on any goalie in the world. When you have that weapon you have an opportunity to be an NHL player.

"I thought his defensive game was very average early and I thought it got way better, because he cares."

Pulkkinen is expected to play in the Red Wings' second preseason game, Tuesday at Chicago (8:30 p.m., no local TV). That's where he made his inauspicious NHL preseason debut a year ago. He was ejected from the game during his first shift after boarding Blackhawks defenseman Michael Kostka at 2:16 of the first period. It earned Pulkkinen a four-game suspension in the preseason.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Pulkkinen is not that kind of player. He's a sniper, with a tremendous one-timer and a knack for finding open areas in the offensive zone. His style has been compared to a couple of Hall of Famers, former Red Wing Brett Hull and Finnish legend Jari Kurri.

"Last year at camp wasn't so good for me, so this year I want to be better and play good hockey right away," Pulkkinen said. "I want to be ready and I want to build my confidence. I want to score goals and do the things that I'm good at. You're playing great hockey when you have good confidence."

Pulkkinen, 22, is not a strong skater, but it's an area he focused on this summer.

"I skated for five weeks with one team -- skating and strength and just the normal things to get ready for the season, be ready right away when the puck drops," Pulkkinen said.

He is never going to be a checker, but he can't be a defensive liability. So he wants to improve in that area.

"Just the overall game, like playing in both ends of the game -- defense, offense," Pulkkinen said. "But still, I have to do better with the things I can do, like shoot the puck more and make the plays."

Barring a rash of injuries in the preseason, Pulkkinen will start in Grand Rapids. He'll be competing to be the first forward recalled.

His main competition could be from Landon Ferraro or Mitch Callahan, if both of those players are waived and clear. He also will be competing with top prospect Anthony Mantha, who's out six-to-eight weeks with a fractured tibia, which ensures that he'll start his pro career in the AHL.

Pulkkinen, the Red Wings' fourth pick (111th overall) in 2011, is more confident coming into this season.

"I was in good shape, but it's a different game in Europe than it is here," Pulkkinen said. "I wasn't ready for the American game. The speed is higher. But now I think I'm going to be ready."

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