Pulkkinen Out Six Months After Surgery

According to MLive’s Ansar Khan, who still has me blocked on Twitter, Red Wings’ forward Teemu Pulkkinen is out up to six months after having offseason shoulder surgery.

#RedWings Teemu Pulkkinen had shoulder surgery in Finland in early June, expected recovery time 4-6 months. He is a restricted free agent.

— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) July 5, 2016

This would seemingly lower his value as a restricted free agent.  Unfortunately, it also lowers his value as trade bait, if the Wings were trying to use him to acquire the much-needed defenseman.

On the plus side, it opens up a roster spot on a logjammed forward corps, at least until his return.