Teemu Pulkkinen would agree that you can’t go home again — at least not if you have played in the Kontinental Hockey League after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The former Detroit Red Wings player bolted his Kiekko-Vantaa team in his native Finland and agreed to play for Starbulls Rosenheim in the German second division.

Pulkkinen was the leading goal scorer (seven goals in eight games) on the Kiekko-Vantaa team, but the club was willing to allow him to leave because his presence on team was steeped in controversy. Pulkkinen was trying to return to Finland after playing in the KHL after Russia invaded Ukraine.  Other non-Russian Europeans left the KHL after that occurred. Pulkkinen played six seasons in the KHL.

When Pulkkinen took the ice in Finland this season, fans booed him when he touched the puck. Three businesses pulled their sponsorship from his new team.

In a statement about his departure, Pulkkinen said his teammates, team officials and many in the community had treated him well.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Alex DeBrincat finally finds the net in Detroit’s ninth game of the season.

Bob Duff writes that Detroit’s group made a statement with their rally against the St. Louis Blues. 

The Grand Rapids Griffins have started the season with five consecutive wins.

Red Wings Extra

The win against the St. Louis included the fifth four-goal comeback triumph in team history. Detroit also registered four-goal comeback wins on Dec. 28, 2022 at Pittsburgh (5-4, overtime win), Dec. 4, 1984 vs. Toronto (7-6, regulation win), Feb. 22, 1972 vs. Toronto (5-4, regulation win) and Nov. 3, 1960 vs. Boston (8-5, regulation win). In addition to scoring two goals for Detroit, defenseman Simon Edvinsson blocked five shots and recorded two hits… Marco Kasper still didn’t add any points, but he was plus-2 and had seven hits…Scoring six goals means Detroit is now averaging 3.33 goals per game. That ranks 12th among the NHL’s 32 teams.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Bruins end losing streak with impressive win against the Colorado Avalanche. Boston Bruins.

Colorado: Aarif Deen has the Avalanche perspective of their loss to Boston. Colorado Avalanche. 

Philadelphia: The acquisition of Trevor Zegras has been working out for the Flyers in the early going. Philadelphia Flyers. 

Pittsburgh: Rickard Rakell suffers injury in Penguins’ shootout loss to Columbus. The Red Wings called about Rakell this summer when they wanted to add a top six forward. The Penguins’ asking price was high. Pittsburgh Penguins. 

Vegas: The Golden Knights suffered their first regulation loss. Hannah Kirkell has the details. Vegas Golden Knights.

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