When the New York Islanders selected Jesse Pulkkinen with the 54th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, they weren’t just adding size to the blue line-they were betting on potential. At 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, Pulkkinen brings a physical presence that’s hard to ignore.
But what’s made him intriguing isn’t just the frame-it’s how he moves with it. For a player his size, Pulkkinen is surprisingly mobile, and that combination of reach, strength, and skating ability made him a standout during his time in Finland.
Now, halfway through his first full season in North America, Pulkkinen’s development is unfolding in real time. There have been flashes-moments that remind you why scouts were so high on him leading into the draft.
But there have also been growing pains, as he adjusts to the pace, structure, and physicality of the North American game. It's a process, and like many young defensemen, Pulkkinen is learning that the jump to pro hockey on this side of the Atlantic isn’t just about talent-it’s about timing, confidence, and consistency.
A Tale of Two Leagues
Pulkkinen has spent this season bouncing between the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders and the ECHL’s Worcester Railers. In 17 games with Bridgeport, the offense hasn’t quite clicked-he’s registered just two assists.
But down in Worcester, his game has opened up. In 13 games, he’s posted five goals and six assists, good for 11 points.
That kind of production is encouraging, even if the level of competition is a step below the AHL. What it shows is that Pulkkinen’s game can translate.
The instincts are there. The tools are starting to come together.
So what does the back-and-forth between leagues mean? In Pulkkinen’s case, it’s less a demotion and more a developmental strategy.
He’s not your typical prospect. He wasn’t on many draft radars until late in his junior career, and he’s still relatively raw compared to others in his draft class.
That means more reps, more time, and a more tailored path. The ECHL gives him a chance to play meaningful minutes, work through mistakes, and build confidence-all without being overmatched by top AHL competition or buried in the lineup.
The Long Game
For Pulkkinen, the key right now is growth. The Railers give him a platform to develop his offensive instincts, refine his defensive positioning, and adjust to the smaller ice surface and quicker decision-making required in North America. And while the AHL is where the top prospects cut their teeth, the ECHL can be a valuable stepping stone-especially for a player still adapting to the pro game.
Looking ahead, the ideal scenario might be to let Pulkkinen finish out the season in Worcester, continuing to build momentum. A late-season call-up to Bridgeport could serve as a litmus test-just to gauge where he stands after several months of steady progress.
Then comes a pivotal offseason, where strength training, skill work, and system familiarity will be the focus. If all goes well, Pulkkinen should be in the mix for a full-time AHL role next season, with an eye on pushing for NHL consideration by the end of 2026-27 or the start of 2027-28.
Big Picture for the Islanders
The Islanders are playing the long game here, and that’s the right move. Pulkkinen isn’t a plug-and-play prospect.
He’s a project-but one with real upside. The size, the skating, the physicality-it’s all there.
What he needs now is time, structure, and patience. And so far, the organization seems to be giving him just that.
For Islanders fans, this is the kind of development story you hope for when your team takes a swing in the second round. Pulkkinen may not be NHL-ready today, but the building blocks are in place. If he continues on this trajectory, he could become a valuable piece of the blue line down the road-and a reminder that sometimes, the best prospects are the ones who take a little longer to arrive.