Islanders sign 2024 draft pick Jesse Pulkkinen to entry-level contract

The New York Islanders announced Monday the signing of 2024 second-round pick Jesse Pulkkinen to a three-year entry-level contract, according to his agent, Dan Milstein.

The 19-year-old Pulkkinen went undrafted in his first year of eligibility. Listed at 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, he scored two goals and six assists for eight points while averaging 17:56 of ice time in 29 games with the top-level Finnish Liiga club JYP Jyvaskyla.

In 18 games with JYP’s junior club, Pulkkinen scored 11 goals and 17 assists for 28 points. He added four goals and six assists for 10 points in seven playoff games while logging more than 27 minutes per night on three separate occasions.

Pulkkinen represented Finland at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, collecting one goal and three points in seven games while skating in a top-four role as the Finns finished in fourth place.

Here’s what Daily Faceoff‘s Steven Ellis has to say about Pulkkinen, who slotted in at No. 42 on his final 2024 NHL Draft rankings:

“The top overage player in the draft this year, Pulkkinen played around 18 minutes a night with JYP, which isn’t always easy for a 19-year-old. Against U-20 kids, he played more than 25 minutes most nights, including a whopping 31:29 on March 17,” Ellis wrote. “Nothing tops his 38:09 in Mestis play back in November, though. Pulkkinen can handle significant pressure well and has the offensive and physical chops to battle older, stronger competition. Don’t be surprised if a team reaches for him late in the first.”

The Islanders finished the 2023-24 season with a 39-27-16 record and 94 points, enough to earn a Wild Card spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.