Detroit Red Wings’ News::: After turning down a sizable contract offer from, Detroit has now formally announced the signing of another top talent.
None of the Detroit Red Wings’ prospects chosen during the Steve Yzerman era are quite like Axel Sandin-Pellikka.
Sandin-Pellikka is a 5 foot 11 inch bedazzler, a sharp contrast to the giants who are often chosen on the blueline. All over the ice, he causes things to happen, typically with good intentions.
Even before Sandin-Pellikka crosses the water, there is a lot to appreciate about his game.
For at least one more Swedish Hockey League (SHL) season, Sandin-Pellikka will stay in Sweden, despite the lack of disagreement or worries. But it makes me wonder:
Is it better for Axel Sandin-Pellikka and the Detroit Red Wings to stay in Sweden for an additional season?
This question has several facets, and I will try to reveal some of them.
In all likelihood, there isn’t much space. If Sandin-Pellikka were to come in North America for the next season, it would prove to be more difficult than beneficial, even for a player of his caliber—space would be created for a player like him.
Yzerman restored a large portion of the organization’s lost depth in free agency, even if he did not go overboard as he did the previous year.
In addition, the Grand Rapids Griffins have a wealth of promising defensive talents on their roster. There are only so many spaces available, and there are so many options to fill those few spots, that everyone will inevitably need to take a break in between games.
Nonetheless, left-handed defensemen make up the majority of the Detroit Red Wings’ roster. The National Hockey League (NHL) coaches often assign lefties to the left side and righties to the right, despite the fact that players such as Simon Edvinsson, Albert Johansson, and even William Wallinder from his SHL days have played on the right side.
Shayne Gostisbehere is one of the few outliers, although they are not common among players.
No matter when Sandin-Pellikka decides to travel to North America, he probably will have a little edge over the other candidates. There aren’t many noteworthy right-handed defensive prospects, other from Anton Johansson, and there won’t be many NHL choices available in the next few seasons.
Although it’s unlikely that Sandin-Pellikka will ever surpass Moritz Seider as the Detroit Red Wings’ starting right-hander, he should be a good addition as a second pairing defenseman. To a guy like Seider, he’ll provide a wonderful contrast in skating style and playing speed.
Seider presents a nasty, two-way, and demanding game, although his interpretation of the game differs from Sandin-Pellikka’s. Not many players do.
In contrast, Sandin-Pellikka isn’t huge or as physically gifted as Seider is, but he isn’t a soft player either. His physique reminds me of Alex DeBrincat, who is somewhat smaller but just as fierce. It’s important that they speak out for themselves. Furthermore, Sandin-Pellikka has a history of body-throwing. (After all, he collaborates with Niklas Kronwall, so a hit is inevitable.)
Additionally, Sandin-Pellikka performs better on defense than anticipated.
But unlike Seider, his calling cards won’t include physicality and two-way play. Furthermore, I’m not convinced Sandin-Pellikka is designed for the amount of time Seider receives (both in terms of quantity and caliber of competition).
On the other hand, I believe Sandin-Pellikka will be the go-to player in the offensive zone and on the best power play units. He should also be on the ice with the puck on his stick with 30 seconds remaining if our team is behind by a goal.
I believe the two will create a strong team that will be hard to stop for ten or more years.
I would love to see Sandin-Pellikka this season wearing a Detroit Red Wings or Grand Rapids Griffins jersey, but it would be a tough transition.
It’s a valid critique, in my opinion, to say that Detroit Red Wings prospects need to mature before they can play in the NHL. I assume that remark alone indicates that I disagree that all prospects are overripe in the system since I believe it’s a case-by-case basis if I agree a prospect is overripe for the American Hockey League (AHL). I believe that several prospects ought to have entered the NHL earlier rather than later. (Do I believe it has hampered their growth? A few, indeed. Others not at all.)
Given that Sandin-Pellikka was only selected in 2023 with the 17th overall choice, I don’t think we can debate whether or not he is overripe. In all likelihood, a prospect selected after the first three to five selections in a draft won’t contend for an NHL position until two to three years following the draft.
What Sandin-Pellikka stands to gain from playing in the SHL for a more season is a topic of debate.
I usually seek advice from those with greater knowledge and access to the SHL.
I am aware of the high caliber of competition because this league is excellent and among the best in the world. Skellefteå is a great organization in addition to winning the title this past season. Sandin-Pellikka has already proven himself worthy of a spot in the starting lineup, and Skellefteå had no qualms about starting him in crucial situations.
Despite his strong performance in the SHL previous season, he can always become better. Remaining in the SHL should help him improve his game, honing the skills he currently possesses and expanding on the solid base he has laid.
Above all, it won’t impede, much less harm, his development.
Would it have a greater effect if it came to North America?
I believe it would. The Swedish Hockey League is an excellent league that provides Swedish prospects with a higher level of comfort compared to the NHL or AHL.
It is logical to believe that Sandin-Pellikka would have spent the most of the 2024–25 season in the AHL as opposed to the NHL. It’s challenging to make the switch to the AHL, and I’m not convinced it’s the ideal league for a guy like Sandin-Pellikka to develop or succeed in.
I sometimes believe that the AHL is among the world’s cruelest and most brutal leagues. I don’t know of any other league that comes close to the AHL aggressiveness, outside of the NHL playoffs and perhaps a couple KHL teams/games.
It’s not really a flex on the AHL, in my opinion. Although this is supposed to be a developing league, there are moments when it feels more like a beer league with a lot of irate, underpaid, and wounded people who take it out on anybody they can. Probably because a significant portion of the senior players are like that (as well as new men trying to establish themselves or who may be upset about being in the league in the first place).
In all honesty, I believe it would be best if Sandin-Pellikka could avoid it, even if it would crush my Grand Rapids Griffins fangirl heart. Still, he could do well. He will probably try to earn a position in Detroit’s opening night lineup as a right-handed defenceman in the second pairing in 2025–2026.
For Sandin-Pellikka at this point, the longer route is the better option. Playing the waiting game might be challenging at times, but it will benefit everyone.
