LD Jesse Pulkkinen - JYP, Liiga (2024, 54th, NYI)

[Steve Kournianos]

The last two posts in this thread are hard to square. @Steve Kournianos

I do want to preface this by saying I see his skill and confidence as major selling points. But today he was shit defensively. Team lost a big game and he was a big reason why, which has happened in other levels. I don’t stat watch so the numbers mean little after seeing that abomination. I have Leijonat TV and take 3-4 hours to watch a game because I need to confirm why things happened. He was terrible in his own end. Only excuse is he might be exhausted from a hefty slate but he was so bad in multiple areas and made lazy, poor, costly and definitely bench-worthy decisions. I’ll watch his next game to see if he rebounds but in Game 2 I called it like I saw it. On offense he was dangerous and even had a partial breakaway but 7-2 is 7-2

 

[Erikfromfin]

His 2 goals from Wild card round game 3. First one was sweet backhander coast to coast

 

[19Simon19]

Here's my Scouting Report on Jesse Pulkkinen

 

[QJL]

I have Pulkkinen in my top 5. He will be an elite player in NHL. Leaving this post here before draft day for you all to revisit in 5 years. Thank you for your time.

 

[majormajor]

I have Pulkkinen in my top 5. He will be an elite player in NHL. Leaving this post here before draft day for you all to revisit in 5 years. Thank you for your time.

I won't be surprised with Pulkkinen.

 

[jaa]

I have Pulkkinen in my top 5. He will be an elite player in NHL. Leaving this post here before draft day for you all to revisit in 5 years. Thank you for your time.

I think he doesn't have the IQ to be more than bottom 6 D in NHL. He has skills and guts obviously, but his play in the wjc and liiga just show that he is lacking in the IQ/awareness department.

 

[illone84]

I hope he gets drafted by Carolina in the late second round.


*OT question about Jesse Pulkkinen. I noticed his bday is on December 27, 2004. Does this mean he could play for Finland U20 in Ottawa at the end of the year, given it commences on boxing day?

 

[FinPanda]

I hope he gets drafted by Carolina in the late second round.


*OT question about Jesse Pulkkinen. I noticed his bday is on December 27, 2004. Does this mean he could play for Finland U20 in Ottawa at the end of the year, given it commences on boxing day?

Only place where birthday matters is draft, international tournament are by age group so no. 2004 born tournament was 2024 so he is too old.

 

[QJL]

I think he doesn't have the IQ to be more than bottom 6 D in NHL. He has skills and guts obviously, but his play in the wjc and liiga just show that he is lacking in the IQ/awareness department.

If you read up on Pulkkinen, he is admits he didn't take hockey seriously enough until prior to this season. He wasn't surprised he didn't get picked last year.

He is lacking experience and maturity, not necessarily IQ/awareness. If he puts the work in for a few years and focuses on learning the defensive side of the game, he's going to be a monster.

 

[Albatros]

I doubt anyone wants to rush him, let him marinate in the AHL until his defensive game is good enough. He has a better chance of making it than most.

 

[Hollel]

If you read up on Pulkkinen, he is admits he didn't take hockey seriously enough until prior to this season. He wasn't surprised he didn't get picked last year.

He is lacking experience and maturity, not necessarily IQ/awareness. If he puts the work in for a few years and focuses on learning the defensive side of the game, he's going to be a monster.

I do get it, and it's a nice story. But this seems to get tossed around as some kind of positive more often than not whereas I view it as adding to his overall risk. It takes sooo much detail and reliance on pro habits to be a true NHL defenseman. He still gets lost in games far too often, and has so much work to do with managing the puck effectively to be taking advantage of his offensive gifts. If he's only just focusing on this stuff for the last year, how much longer will it take to get everything in place? On top of this, I worry that his physical tools have made him look even more impressive playing in a pro league like Liiga, it's just not very physical and slower paced. There's still a ton of upside in his game, and I don't think as you said that being top 5 player from the draft is impossible. I just don't see that, or even being a true career NHL'er as any kind of safe bet right now. I think a career not unlike Philippe Myers is an even likelier outcome. But he still rocks and I'd be happy with my team taking the chance around 30OA or so.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I don’t like this draft that much. I think the talent drops off after around 10, and the players from 10 on are varying degrees of risks. I don’t think the players have that much upside in the 20’s. I wont list overagers, but I’d have no problem using a pick in the 20’s on this guy. You could get a top 4 defenseman, and I agree with some of the above posts that there’s a chance for first pair.

 

[majormajor]

I think he doesn't have the IQ to be more than bottom 6 D in NHL. He has skills and guts obviously, but his play in the wjc and liiga just show that he is lacking in the IQ/awareness department.

I do get it, and it's a nice story. But this seems to get tossed around as some kind of positive more often than not whereas I view it as adding to his overall risk. It takes sooo much detail and reliance on pro habits to be a true NHL defenseman. He still gets lost in games far too often, and has so much work to do with managing the puck effectively to be taking advantage of his offensive gifts. If he's only just focusing on this stuff for the last year, how much longer will it take to get everything in place? On top of this, I worry that his physical tools have made him look even more impressive playing in a pro league like Liiga, it's just not very physical and slower paced. There's still a ton of upside in his game, and I don't think as you said that being top 5 player from the draft is impossible. I just don't see that, or even being a true career NHL'er as any kind of safe bet right now. I think a career not unlike Philippe Myers is an even likelier outcome. But he still rocks and I'd be happy with my team taking the chance around 30OA or so.

I think most of his mistakes are relatively easy to clean up, like "don't dangle two guys in front of your own net".

His recent commitment to being a pro and late development obscure whether he can learn finer details beyond that, but it doesn't tell me that he can or can't do it. There is a general tendency to believe that D can learn defense later, and I don't know why we wouldn't extend that benefit of the doubt to Pulkkinen. Certainly Yakemchuk and Parekh need that grace. Levshunov has many equally baffling moments, and contrary to myth he's actually been a highly developed prospect with high end tools for several years, before he came to North America.

Regarding how the tools look in Liiga, I've seen so many good small area plays and great breakout passes from Pulkkinen that I'm confident he'll look good in the North American style where there is less space. Pulkkinen's confidence under pressure is a big plus, he just needs to know when to take the low risk option.

 

[UpsideHockey]

Upside's direct link for our prospect profile on the Incredible Pulkkinen:

Jesse Pulkkinen - UPSIDE Hockey 2024 NHL Draft Prospect Profile​

bit.ly/JessePulkkinen

 

[MMC]

Welcome to New York

 

[Kiekura]

Islanders feels like perfect place for him.

 

[SI90]

Welcome to the Island!!!! So pumped!!! Love it!!!

 

[SI90]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1807084229010022674

 

[Hollel]

I think most of his mistakes are relatively easy to clean up, like "don't dangle two guys in front of your own net".

His recent commitment to being a pro and late development obscure whether he can learn finer details beyond that, but it doesn't tell me that he can or can't do it. There is a general tendency to believe that D can learn defense later, and I don't know why we wouldn't extend that benefit of the doubt to Pulkkinen. Certainly Yakemchuk and Parekh need that grace. Levshunov has many equally baffling moments, and contrary to myth he's actually been a highly developed prospect with high end tools for several years, before he came to North America.

Regarding how the tools look in Liiga, I've seen so many good small area plays and great breakout passes from Pulkkinen that I'm confident he'll look good in the North American style where there is less space. Pulkkinen's confidence under pressure is a big plus, he just needs to know when to take the low risk option.

Seems like the industry agreed with me but in all seriousness good swing by the NYI and I'll be super fascinated to see his development curve from here on out. rooting for the guy

 

[Erika]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1807084229010022674

That is one handsome man .
Automatic top pairing defenseman in the making.

Joke aside, this looks like a great pick. Can't wait to see more of him in the upcoming world juiniors

 

[Nate070]

My guess is second round

Oops

 

[coooldude]

Time will tell, but I fear the sharks will regret taking Sahlin Wallenius at 53. Pulkkinen would have been my pick there.

 

[SI90]

Time will tell, but I fear the sharks will regret taking Sahlin Wallenius at 53. Pulkkinen would have been my pick there.

Time will tell, but I fear the sharks will regret taking Sahlin Wallenius at 53. Pulkkinen would have been my pick there.

Honestly, I like what the sharks did. Leo is a really solid pick. Especially at 53. Pulkkinen is more raw with tons of upside but Leo is probably the safer bet to be an NHL defenseman for a long time.

As far Pulkkinen, I personally wanted him on the isles and didn’t think he’d slip to us. Kid needs to just focus on hockey, put his head down train and develop. I think if all goes well he can be a really effective 2way top4 defenseman.

 

[BigRangy]

That is one handsome man .
Automatic top pairing defenseman in the making.

Joke aside, this looks like a great pick. Can't wait to see more of him in the upcoming world juiniors

He’s too old for the Juniors, he’s a late birthday already in his draft+1

I think he’s still a lock to play NHL games though. Guys who are big and can skate and handle the puck always make it.

 

[SI90]

He’s too old for the Juniors, he’s a late birthday already in his draft+1

I think he’s still a lock to play NHL games though. Guys who are big and can skate and handle the puck always make it.

The biggest thing for him will be him really focusing on the defense side of the game. Hes an excellent and smooth skater who can can the puck. But at his size he needs to be a force in his own end. He really has a chance to be a unique and special defensman. At his size and skating ability he can stick with guys and cover them and defend them with his long reach. If this kid really takes the game serious and develops through good coaching on the defensive side, then watch out.