I think you were missing my point was that Hudler was very explosive offensively and continued on a upward trajectory without taking steps back like Pulkkinen. It wasn't his production just pointing out I think he is a little over-hyped offensively. I see him as a pass first player with a terrific shot. He does struggle to use it, and quite frankly his skating is flat out bad. I realize he can keep developing but comparing him to Hudler, I just don't buy right now. He is a boom or bust player and there are things to like. But to bag on Hudler's skills while praising a player that at best remains a long-shot to accomplish many of the things that Jiri Hudler has accomplished was what I was taking umbrage with.
He is talented but I will be curious to see how he does in Grand Rapids when he comes over. He is not going straight on the team like Jarnkrok when he comes over, I just don't see that happening. Also, keep in mind Hudler was a point per game player in the minors, was a similar point per game player in Russia and Czech leagues and has now three times gone over 50 points in the NHL. I know everyone around the Wings hates him but he remains actually a pretty lofty comparison for a prospect to achieve especially one with huge question marks about how his game will transition to North America.
I was never the one actually comparing him to Hudler. I was merely stating that Pulks has also had good numbers, and in the World Juniors he shot at everything that moved. I've never seen Hudler shoot at everything that moves. I see Pulkkinen as a sniper with playmaking abilities, and Hudler as a playmaker with finishing abilities.
And yeah, he will need at least a couple of AHL seasons.
Jokerit just beat Espoo Blues in OT 4-3 to win the bronze medals. Pulkkinen didn't get any points but he looked good lout there (JustinTV stream so it wasn't fun watching), was skating much faster than at the end of the regular season. Btw, Ilari Filppula had two goals and and assisted on the OT winner.
But he has shown nowhere near the same offensive abilities on lower levels.
You're going to have to explain that criticism. Pulkkinen was a huge scorer coming up in Finnish juniors and talked about as a prodigy and potential first overall pick for a couple seasons before his draft year. He didn't grow much and his skating didn't round into form so he slipped when it finally came time to get his name called- but he was still widely thought of as a potential first/second rounder though and then went on to set a SM-Liiga rookie record for assists.
All that being said sports (and the prospect side of it, doubly so) is largely "what have you done for me lately". Injuries played a huge role for Pulkkinen this year- but undoubtedly, next season is going to go a long ways towards determining what his future will be.
I think his shot is more than legit- his slapper might be the best to come along in a very long time. If he has a good work ethic and continues working on his skating, which looked the worst when he was playing hurt, I think he's an NHL player. Whether that's a top six guy on a winning team or a PP specialist on a bad one goes back to that work ethic.
You're going to have to explain that criticism. Pulkkinen was a huge scorer coming up in Finnish juniors and talked about as a prodigy and potential first overall pick for a couple seasons before his draft year. He didn't grow much and his skating didn't round into form so he slipped when it finally came time to get his name called- but he was still widely thought of as a potential first/second rounder though and then went on to set a SM-Liiga rookie record for assists.
All that being said sports (and the prospect side of it, doubly so) is largely "what have you done for me lately". Injuries played a huge role for Pulkkinen this year- but undoubtedly, next season is going to go a long ways towards determining what his future will be.
I think his shot is more than legit- his slapper might be the best to come along in a very long time. If he has a good work ethic and continues working on his skating, which looked the worst when he was playing hurt, I think he's an NHL player. Whether that's a top six guy on a winning team or a PP specialist on a bad one goes back to that work ethic.
Just clarifying, his injury history during and before his draft year affected most his draft number. Also, apart from the end of the regular season, Pulkkinen didn't have injury issues this season. However his team did, most notably his linemate Janne Lahti, and that affected his and the team's play most (including almost season long issues with the offensive/defensive systems within Jokerit).
You're going to have to explain that criticism. Pulkkinen was a huge scorer coming up in Finnish juniors and talked about as a prodigy and potential first overall pick for a couple seasons before his draft year. He didn't grow much and his skating didn't round into form so he slipped when it finally came time to get his name called- but he was still widely thought of as a potential first/second rounder though and then went on to set a SM-Liiga rookie record for assists.
All that being said sports (and the prospect side of it, doubly so) is largely "what have you done for me lately". Injuries played a huge role for Pulkkinen this year- but undoubtedly, next season is going to go a long ways towards determining what his future will be.
I think his shot is more than legit- his slapper might be the best to come along in a very long time. If he has a good work ethic and continues working on his skating, which looked the worst when he was playing hurt, I think he's an NHL player. Whether that's a top six guy on a winning team or a PP specialist on a bad one goes back to that work ethic.
Hudler had a lot of the things you are talking about, only he did get drafter higher and he has scored at higher levels. That was my only point and on top of that and here comes a big gulp... Hudler is a better skater. He doesn't shoot the puck as hard but he is way more accurate. I was having a problem comparing him to a guy that has been an elite level scorer at his age, scored at high levels in lower leagues like Pulkkinen now, and continued to be an above average scorer in the NHL.
I am not a huge fan of Pulkkinen, I do see the upside and he does have some tremendous instincts. In fact if this was the late 80's or early 90's I would be even higher on him. But he is not a great skater and for a guy that posses that awesome shot, he doesn't shoot like the sniper people tout him to be. His delivery is long, telegraphed and usually ends up with the crash of the glass. Next year is important for him, but realistically he has to spend some time in Grand Rapids and that is where his evaluation will be. I think he will need to read the game a little better and become more of a shooter that finds dead areas to make it. Although there is the chance he can become a third liner because he does hit that is a PP specialist. I just think without some sort of improvement in his skating or at least accuracy on his shot has to get worlds better, otherwise people are going to get disappointed with him.
I also think he would do better in an organization where he is given minutes for potential. Quite frankly the Wings don't do that, but he would probably get time on some other teams with higher caliber talent players when he shows up.
Jokerit just beat Espoo Blues in OT 4-3 to win the bronze medals. Pulkkinen didn't get any points but he looked good lout there (JustinTV stream so it wasn't fun watching), was skating much faster than at the end of the regular season. Btw, Ilari Pilppula had two goals and and assisted on the OT winner.
Lol.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jussi
Just clarifying, his injury history during and before his draft year affected most his draft number. Also, apart from the end of the regular season, Pulkkinen didn't have injury issues this season. However his team did, most notably his linemate Janne Lahti, and that affected his and the team's play most (including almost season long issues with the offensive/defensive systems within Jokerit).
How sure you're about that? Team didn't maybe tell to public that he had injuries or Pulkkinen didn't tell to the team that he had injuries but it's still possible that he had some injuries during the season that hampered his performance or something small during the offseason that hindered his training during the summer.
I didn't watch him play too much so I'm just guessing here.
Jarnkrok with two assists in game six as they win the Swedish Championship! He finishes the playoffs with 4G12A +12 in 16 games. 2nd on team, 4th overall in playoff scoring.
Jarnkrok with two assists in game six as they win the Swedish Championship! He finishes the playoffs with 4G12A +12. 2nd on team, 4th overall in playoff scoring.
Any chance this could get him to come across the pond a year early?
I don't think he can even if the Wings wanted him to
doesn't the NHL have an agreement in place to honor SEL contracts(and vice versa obviously)?
Yes, but I thought it had a set buyout. I wasn't saying he wouldn't honor his contract, but more of a maybe this would allow it type of scenario. Was wondering also if the championship might trigger something in his contract allowing him to leave earlier.
I just hope Jarnkrok plays in the World Championships. Hope hope.
Who's the better individual player, Jarnkrok or Silverberg? Does the fact that Jarnkrok is a center change anything in that regard?
Silfverberg might be better at the moment but the ceiling is higher on järnkrok..i'm no expert though i only watched a few playoff games...Järnkrok played on the wing all the games I watched..don't know if he did in all other games as well
I just hope Jarnkrok plays in the World Championships. Hope hope.
Who's the better individual player, Jarnkrok or Silverberg? Does the fact that Jarnkrok is a center change anything in that regard?
Depends what your team is in need of. Jarnkrok's the puck carrier with slick playmaking abilities. Can run a PP. Silfverberg is a straight forward type of player with a sick shot. Both guys are very good defensively.
Silfverberg is better right now though, the guy won both the regular + playoff MVP awards.. Their overall projection remains the same for me. Silfverberg is Alfie light and Jarnkrok is Backstrom light.
Jarnkrok played most of the playoffs as center, but played wing whenever Johan Larsson was on his line.
Jarnkrok with two assists in game six as they win the Swedish Championship! He finishes the playoffs with 4G12A +12 in 16 games. 2nd on team, 4th overall in playoff scoring.
awesome
i have only seen him play a little, but he looks very talented. looked like a more offensive filppula. i hope he will play in WC.
Is Jarnkrok an eventual candidate to jump straight to the Red Wings?
Yes, regardless if he adds weight or not. You don't reach average NHL weight until later in your career, but posters think you have to be average when you're 18 for some strange reason.
