Detroit Red Wings: Teemu Pulkkinen and Other Prospects Leaving Big Impressions

Not long ago, I wrote an article digging down into the prospect pool of the Detroit Red Wings, naming players such as Teemu Pulkkinen, Brendan Smith and Tomas Jurco as players to watch for in the future.

Over the last week, fans have gotten a good look at what lies in the future for the Red Wings. Not only are their top prospects making a huge impression, but the players who aren't as easily noticed are beginning to get a second look.

Gustav Nyquist

Nyquist is one of the Red Wings prospects with a bright future. Nyquist was called up by the Red Wings early last week after center Darren Helm suffered a groin injury.

Nyquist has played in the last two games against the Chicago Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues. Although he didn't make it on the score sheet, Nyquist still looked like he belonged in the NHL.

Also, with an all-rookie line of Cory Emmerton, Joakim Andersson and Nyquist, you can't expect much right off the bat in terms of scoring.

Marek Tvrdon

Marek Tvrdon is a player who isn't even considered to be in Detroit's top 20 prospects.

That hasn't stopped Tvrdon from making an impact in the World Juniors Championship in Alberta. His three points in four games may not seem like a big deal, but Tvrdon is second among his Slovakian teammates in points earned.

When you play for a team like Slovakia, who isn't nearly as talent-laden as other teams in the tournament, and get three points in four games despite not even being recognized as an NHL hopeful, you may be starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Maybe Tvrdon has a better chance at cracking the NHL than his profile suggests.

Tomas Jurco

Jurco and Tvrdon have been a very good combination for team Slovakia. Jurco leads the Slovaks with five points in four games.

Jurco is widely recognized as a player with tons of potential. He's projected to be a second- or first-line center, and his stickhandling skills have drawn him comparisons to Marian Hossa of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Some even say he could be the new Pavel Datsyuk for the Red Wings. Fans probably shouldn't go that far for a player who still hasn't played an NHL game, but Jurco's future is very bright regardless, and five points in four games on the Slovak team is something that shouldn't be overlooked.

Petr Mrazek

Ahh yes. In typical Detroit Red Wings fashion, Tomas McCollum is drafted with a first-round pick and turns out to be a complete bust, but Petr Mrazek is drafted in the fifth round and is the biggest shock in the WJCs this year.

Mrazek's name became particularly famous when he stopped 52 of Team USA's 54 shots, knocking the Americans out of the tournament.

Mrazek's stock has certainly risen over the last week, and he has gone from being seen as a small NHL possibility to possibly being a star NHL goaltender.

Currently, Mrazek has the best save percentage in the WJCs of any goalie to play in all of his team's games.

Look out for Mrazek in the future, because if he pans out the Detroit Red Wings could have one hell of a goalie tandem with Mrazek and current Vezina hopeful Jimmy Howard.

Teemu Pulkkinen

When it comes to prospects for the Detroit Red Wings, Teemu Pulkkinen may very well be the cream of the crop.

Last season, Pulkkinen broke a Finnish League assists record set by future Hockey Hall of Famer and current Anaheim Ducks forward Teemu Selanne.

That may seem like no big deal, but as noted Pulkkinen broke an assists record despite being described as a scoring forward.

And score he has. Pulkkinen struggled in his first two games along with linemate and major Minnesota Wild prospect Mikael Granlund, but in their last two games, the line clicked.

Pulkkinen logged four goals and an assist in a game against Denmark, nearly scoring a fifth before being defeated by the buzzer. He then followed it up in a game against the Czech Republic with a goal and an assist.

Currently, Pulkkinen is fourth overall in the tournament in scoring. He has drawn comparisons to NHL players such as Alexander Ovechkin due to his deadly shot, and some see him as possibly being a consistent 40-goal scorer in the NHL.

Detroit's prospects have been touted for awhile, and now getting to see them in action, you have to think that maybe all those claims of the window closing are a bit short-sighted.

Jordan Matthews writes for the NHL and for the Detroit Red Wings. You can view some of his recent articles below:

Four Reasons Jimmy Howard Is Vezina Worthy

Detroit Red Wings Slated to Host 2013 Winter Classic