[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Unicorn Edition):

I recommend watching some highlights of LHD Jesse Pulkkinen, you'll think you're watching tape on Jaromir Jagr from the 90's. Pulkkinen isn't supposed to have the kind of buzz that he has, after being passed over in last year's draft, but he re-dedicated himself to hockey last summer, after a miserable 2022-23 season, where he only managed 4 points in 43 U20 games- and didn't even know if he wanted to continue playing. That version of Jesse Pulkkinen and the one playing just shy of 20 minutes a night in the Liiga- the top men's league in Finland- are as different as night and day. JP started the season with JYP of the U20, and it was quickly discerned that he was too good for that league, with 28 points in just 18 games, to go with 47 PIMs. He was too overwhelming for the Mestis as well, with 4 points in 6 games, so it was off to the Liiga, where he currently sits 3rd for U-20 defensemen (2nd in ppg) with 8 points in 23 games. He is still 5th in scoring by defense in the J20, despite not having played there in months, and his 1.56 ppg is still tops by a country mile. He cemented his newfound status as a must-see for scouts, with a World Junior Championship performance that saw him score 3 points in 7 games, with sterling defensive metrics. Did I mention that this kid is 6'6", and 216lbs?

Pulkkinen is an amazing skater for a player his size, but that's not his most amazing trait- the most jaw-dropping abilities he has are his quick hands and unshakable confidence when carrying the puck, and the 1-on-1 moves and deception he uses in doing so. It's quite a sight to see a skyscraper weaving around opponents, and in-and-out of traffic without being slowed down, or stripped of the puck. He uses dangles, fakes, look-offs, and has every kind of deke imaginable in his arsenal to fool, misdirect, and manipulate opponents, and make them look silly. He baits attackers into going one way, while he's going in a different direction, and can even throw in a Savardian spin-o-rama, or reverse hit to make extra room. Pulkkinen moves around like a much smaller player, but has the massive wingspan to handle the puck outside his opponent's reach. There's never any cause to throw away the puck, as he has the confidence to hold on to wait for the right play, or circle back to create space while a better situation develops. He can fly coast to coast, deking through layers of traffic, and around sticks, keeping full possession, without hardly getting touched. Pulkkinen owns jaw-dropping mobility for a player his size, but it's his incredible edges, and agility that he uses to pivot around attackers, and sidestep checks that is truly amazing- a player that big should not be that light on his skates. He moves well laterally, and can turn, or stop and start on a dime to get to open space. He's a fluid skater, but his stride looks a little awkward and choppy at times, though he still generates surprising power. His acceleration needs a bit of work, but he's impossible to slow down when cruising at top speed.

Pulkkinen is always heavily involved in the play, and is not at all afraid to activate from the point to attack the middle, or keep the play alive along the boards. His shot is hard and heavy, and can beat goalies from a distance, but his main offensive weapon is his deft touch as a playmaker, combined with his sublime vision and passing skill. He's not just a one-dimensional player though, as his best dimension may be his suffocating defensive game, that he shows off against pros. In his own zone, he's hyper-aggressive, always moving, and seems to be everywhere from below the goal-line to the top of the zone all at once. He lifts sticks, supports teammates, and uses his body, active stick, and reach to thwart plays, cause turnovers, and win pucks. Pulkkinen has a pronounced physical edge to his game, and he applies it while punishing opponents along the boards, or pinning them to make them immobile. He always gets the inside body position, then overpowers his man, bullying him off the puck- many times with a reverse hit. He's almost impassable, and very hard to play against. He kills rushes, smothers opponents, and picks off plays to the slot, or to high-danger. Quite often, he will make stops before the play ever gets to the blueline, closing gaps seamlessly, while guiding his victims to the boards to be finished off, or by catching them napping with a big open-ice hit in the neutral zone. In retrievals, he establishes body position, and keeps his head up to find his outlet- all with a high panic threshold, and staying cool and composed. He holds tons of value in turning defense into offense through transition, as he's confident with the puck, protects extremely well, and is a monster in possession- he can seemingly carry it out effortlessly, and lead the rush. The defensive metrics for this player are sparkling, and he already plays against men. He led all defensemen at the WJC in controlled exits, with 34.

Pulkkinen can still be beaten wide on occasion by speedier opponents, and can sometimes overhandle the puck. He needs to fine-tune his decision-making, but more importantly, he needs to rein in his aggression as he can be caught out of place from time-to-time. At the end of the day, he's an excellent two-way player, but his defensive awareness gives him an NHL floor- he could be a future bottom-4 player with PK duties, but has the potential to be more than that. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see a team take him with a first-round pick, which would be the first time a second-year eligible has been picked in the first since Tanner Pearson in 2012.