According to player agent Dan Milstein of Gold Star Hockey, the New York Islanders have signed Jesse Pulkkinen to a three-year, entry-level contract. Like most signings from the Islanders organization, the deal’s financial terms were not disclosed and likely won’t be until the end of the summer.
Pulkkinen has spent the last five years coming up through the JYP system of the Finnish Liiga; culminating in being selected with the 54th overall pick of the 2024 NHL Draft. He scored 11 goals and 28 points for JYP’s U20 team in 18 games while also collecting two goals and eight points in 29 games for JYP’s top team in the Liiga. He played in 12 contests for Team Finland’s U20 roster last year and scored four goals and eight points overall.
According to multiple scouting reports for Pulkkinen, the Finnish defenseman has above-average puckhandling skills and is also unafraid to use his body during the play. Pulkkinen regularly used his puckhandling ability to lead the forecheck while using his 6’6″ frame to his advantage against opponents.
There are some criticisms around Pulkkinen’s ability to read the ice and make a good first pass. As a second-year draft-eligible player during the 2024 NHL Draft, Pulkkinen may be several years away from impacting the Islanders’ organization. If his development continues and he can improve upon his weaknesses, there is no question Pulkkinen has the opportunity to crack New York’s top four in the future.
Not an isles fan but this has the potential to be a major boon in 2-5 years. Players like kucherov, datsyuk, sea Weber are just a few non first round major pickups