DETROIT — It was announced today that the Detroit Red Wings have sent Finnish right-shooting sniper Teemu Pulkkinen back down to Grand Rapids to play in the AHL.
UPDATE: The #RedWings have assigned Teemu Pulkkinen to the @griffinshockey. pic.twitter.com/9WzQezx89h
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) April 24, 2015
Pulkkinen has been a healthy scratch for the Red Wings as of late as they try to break past the heavily-favored Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.
I understand the move, if he’s going to be sitting in Cleary’s Cabana, he might as well go back to the AHL and help bolster the Griffins for their playoff push which begins against the Maple Leafs affiliate Toronto Marlies. The problem I have is that Tomas Jurco played less than five minutes last night, and say nearly two minutes on the power play. With the Red Wings scoring abilities simply bottoming-out when they have the man advantage, it seems logical to utilize Pulkkinen’s booming slapshot. I suppose the Red Wings have other plans, though. Despite only appearing in two AHL games since February 15th, Teemu Pulkkinen was still awarded the AHL Willie Marshall Award (most goals scored) with 34 in 46 games played.
This surely will be a welcomed asset for Jeff Blashill, as he looks to achieve his second Calder Cup Title as head coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins.
