Detroit Red Wings OctoPulse: Who is trending up and down?

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Sep 24, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Teemu Pulkkinen (56) receives congratulations from left wing Tyler Bertuzzi (59) after scoring in the first period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Trending UP: Teemu Pulkkinen

Yeah, it’s nice to finally see Pulkky get his much deserved love in Detroit. Much like Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar before him, Pulkkinen was the prospect who had to bow at the altar of Mike Babcock to earn ice time and to be included in Babs’ circle of trust.

Good luck Toronto. Enjoy that when your prospects are NHL ready. It’s maddening.

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Pulkkinen has played like a man possessed this preseason. Four points last night–two of them goals. Against Chicago, he had a goal. What more do you want from this kid?

Since we already talked about the goal scoring prowess of Tomas Tatar, it’s fair to mention Pulkkinen in the same breath. Pulkkinen will benefit from a full season of Blashill, and enjoy a latitude that will allow him to be unleashed in the regular season.

Pulkky will score more than 20 goals–book it now. He’s going to make an already dangerous power play lethal. And he’s going to make Red Wings fans wonder a bit more if his help in last year’s playoff would have equated a deeper run.

Forget the past. The present and future belong to Pulkkinen.

Next: Trending Even - Jimmy Howard