Red Wings' Pulkkinen ahead of schedule after shoulder surgery

Teemu Pulkkinen will be at Detroit Red Wings training camp when it opens Friday, and he'll be ready to go.

The 24-year-old had shoulder surgery in early June and was expected to be out four-to-six months, but he'll take part in full-contact practices at camp, writes the Detroit Free Press' Helene St. James.

"I'm feeling good," Pulkkinen said. "I'm hoping to maybe play one or two exhibition games, but we'll see how I feel."

Pulkkinen signed a one-year contract worth slightly over $800,000 with Detroit in July, and he knows what's at stake heading into the season.

"I need a big camp," he said. "I don't want to think about who is playing and what spots are open. I'm just going to do my best."

A fourth-round pick in 2010, the Finnish native has yet to crack the Red Wings' lineup for good. He had six goals and six assists in 36 games last season, but 11 of his 12 points came in his first 22 games.

Pulkkinen has 11 goals and nine assists in 70 career NHL games.