Axel Sandin-Pellikka leads the defensive prospects
Detroit’s core players have all come from the draft and develop model. Last season, Marco Kasper broke through an initial assignment to the Grand Rapids Griffins and became part of that core. This season’s compact schedule and inevitable injuries could provide that same opportunity for several players in Grand Rapids. In particular, the defense needs a boost and no defensive prospect has gained more attention than Axel Sandin-Pellikka.
ASP was drafted 17th overall in 2023 with a pick obtained from the Vancouver Canucks. In two years overseas, the 5’11” right shot defenseman has accumulated an impressive collection of awards. Some of those achievements include:
- Most goals by a junior defenseman in a single season
- Most career goals by a junior defenseman in the SHL
- Most career SHL playoff points by a junior defenseman
- The Salming Trophy for the best Swedish born defenseman in the SHL
- An SHL championship with Skelleftea AIK in 2024
- 2 time best defenseman in the World Junior Championships (2024, 2025)
- Silver Medal at the 2024 World Junior Championships
That impressive list continues, and Detroit Red Wings fans are impressed. Sandin-Pellikka made his North American debut for Grand Rapids in last year’s brief post season. Even in that short sample size, his calm on ice demeanor and vision were on display. This player doesn’t just want to play the game, he wants to be the best player on the ice.
The opportunity is wide open
The timeframe that saw Detroit as a post-season perennial saw an “overripe” mentality when it came to prospects. Sayings like “tie goes to the veteran” were a staple in the philosophy of the organization. As with the playoff streak itself, that thinking has come to an end. Players have the opportunity to take a job if they show the will and the skill to do so.
Steve Yzerman was unable to secure a high end upgrade for the defense in the offseason, and that is a concern heading into the season. Detroit was rumored to be in the bidding for multiple players, but ultimately failed to close a deal. For the team to have a chance at the elusive playoff appearance, a surprise performance is going to have to come from within. The path that Kasper took last season will have to be repeated by a player hungry enough to take it.
Axel Sandin-Pellikka has not been shy about his intentions for the upcoming year. He wants to play in the NHL, and is doing everything in his power to make that dream a reality. This year’s training camp and pre season will be an audition for all of Detroit’s top prospects. However, failure to secure a spot on opening night won’t be the end of that opportunity.
Can Sandin-Pellikka seize take a roster spot?
The adage in professional sports is that jobs aren’t given, they’re taken. The life cycle of the professional athlete is quite literally one of give and take. The career begins with taking your place and often ends by relinquishing it. Sandin-Pellikka stands tall as a candidate to force Detroit to make a difficult decision.
ASP’s calling card on the international stage has been his offensive output. To make the final step, the ice will get smaller and the game is faster and stronger. The player has already been hard at work adding muscle to his frame and intensity to his game. All of that work will be under a microscope in the fall.
The Red Wings desperately need a stronger contribution from the defensive core. Goals against have to be addressed, and the team has to rise above an historically bad and league worst penalty kill. The blue line also needs to contribute more on the scoreboard, and that’s is where Sandin-Pellikka can make his mark.
When the opportunity arises, the second power play unit will be looking to ASP and his quick release and creativity. At even strength, “Pelican” seems custom built for a faceoff opportunity in the offensive zone. If he can carry his weight defensively while adding to the scoreboard, this is a player that can plant roots on the eastern side of I96. There is little doubt that Sandin-Pellikka is a bright part of Detroit’s future. The question now is, “how quickly will that come to pass?”
I’m really excited about this season! This is the reason why. I want to see these guys get called up and fight for spots. Push the vets. The energy these guys are bringing is going to be fantastic. Look at Kasper, he’s doing all the tangible stuff and the intangibles this offseason.
Yeah, I know the season is going to be rough. The tight schedule, and the Olympic break kind of worries me. It’s like that Four Nations thing. These tournaments during the regular season are not good. Look at what happens to the guys playing? More injury risks, energy spent not helping the team. With the condensed schedule, I hope everyone stays healthy. I really think the young guys are going to have to take a larger role. The young legs are going to be really important.
I would just like to add if I may, it’s great to be talking about the Wings. It’s really isolating in this area. It’s hard to find fans down here. I’m really glad you’re over here. I kept trying to sign in to the last site you were on, and I could not get registered. It was frustrating. So now that I’m here, I have a lot to talk about! I have always liked your thoughts and your passion for the team and the sport. I like your levelheaded approach. I hope to become a part of the Wings community!
Have I been on-topic at all? There is going to be a lot more energy this year and it’s going to be fun!
Thanks for stopping by! The in season tournaments do have me concerned. This year you’re adding another week off and traveling to Italy. The ice surface for the Olympics in now North American specs. So it will be faster/harder hitting hockey and wide open for injuries to top players. The great aside is the opportunity for AHLers to get a solid look and grab a spot. Like Kasper last year, I absolutely want someone to be hungry enough to take a job and become part of the future!
I just do not like the in-season tournaments. They cause too much wear and tear, they’re a distraction, and they’re not that fun. I’m not interested in that when the season is on. I’m here for my team. Anything that can hurt my team is going to be a problem. Offseason, no problem. Heck, I think it would be great. I am missing hockey right now. A series, something right now would help keep fans interested. I would love to watch something like that now.
I would like to talk about Michael Rasmussen. He has two years left on his contract, if I am correct. What is his future here? I think I lost patience with him after that hit on Jack Hughes. His reaction just did it for me. The guy doesn’t really use his size, then he takes out a smaller guy, and he’s a tough guy now? That was borderline embarrassing. If he was consistent, then it would have been fine, just another hit, no big deal.
He doesn’t play the boards. His skating is, okay? He is inconsistent. Do you think he will improve this off season? Do you think TMac will have an impact on him? It would be great to see some more out of him. I don’t want to not like him. I just really don’t know how much further he’s going to go.
Thanks Jeremy!
It feels like Rasmussen’s peak is third line center. When Copp was healthy, that third line seemed to find a groove blocking shots and grinding. Rasmussen seems to understand where he’s going to be slotted. With a more developed team, that could be a 4th line dispatch. Stay healthy, keep pucks out of the net, kill penalties etc. i may be over simplifying but that’s kind of where I see him at. Needs to work on faceoffs every year like Glendening did. Glenny could be out at the end of the game and clear an O zone faceoff. It’s a role you need, and if he can fill it he looks set to have that spot.
There’s no doubt we are loaded in the “A” and with some of the kids on the big club now. Add in several in Europe and college; the future’s bright. ASP has the tools to be an impact player, I’m not sure anyone can argue that fact. But the Law of Averages should be considered; it’s going to take another 2-3yrs for him to be an impact player that changes game plans for opponents. And as has been well-noted, we swung and missed on some really decent (dare I say “Good”?) players in UFA. Draft and Develop can only carry you so far because of unplanned development time, injuries, etc… We need something that’s NHL seasoned to make an impact. Like I said, we have some great players (not sure anyone can deny Mo Sides & Rayzor aren’t 2 of the most insanely talented youngsters in the NHL right now…..add Kasper – man that kid is just a gem).
ASP, MBN, Danielson (gotta find initials for him to keep the trend going now…), Lombardi, etc…. They’re good players, but we don’t know what we don’t know. I just feel like there needs to be another move for a seasoned guy (Rossi, Necas, etc…) that changes the game for us this season, or we’re doomed to Mediocrity again…
I agree on all of your points. The kids are exciting. If Lombardi can stay healthy, his scoring is near a point per game and he could be a sleeper. They needed to add to the top 6 and the top 4 and haven’t done it yet. Would love to see a move made before camp but more and more it feels like this is the roster. That means, for any hope of success, someone has to break out and over perform. Possibly multiple someone’s. Thanks for dropping by!
To that point; people need to keep a close eye on Kasper. His Summer League showing hints at a much-improved Marco come the Fall. He’s edging closer and closer to being a break-out guy. Lots depends on where he’s playing, but watching him…..kid’s ugly where it counts. Add 10-15lbs to this kid and the NHL is his oyster. I think that Eddy’s about to break out as well.
I keep flashing back to the game 2 seasons ago when “the kid” line was on ice vs Tronno and a scuffle broke out. All. The. Kids. Got. Ugly. Kasper, Mo, Eddy….bulled-up and didn’t back down. Our kids are, frankly, dang good. I am excited for the season. I do think ASP will be on the big club around the O-break, and he ain’t leavin’. Again, will take some time, but won’t be a bit surprised to see him up. MBN & Danielson are probably in the same boat, maybe closer to post-TDL though.
Future’s bring, but I still just see a glaring need for a few/couple of NHL rostered dudes comin’ in to wear the Wheel to push us over the edge.
Looks like posting’s fixed, btw!!!!!
Kasper’s season propelled him to the World’s where he just kept giving some jaw dropping moments. This summer looks like he’s setting up for something special. If he can break 25 goals that will be a big benefit for the team. That line with Debrincat and Kane was the best of the bunch for the end of the season. He is so aggressive, plays big and dives into the corners. If Eddy and Mo can solidify there will be some push back from these kids. I think Kasper is core, and could step in if Larkin gets hurt taking top minutes. Love what that kid looks like!
So, just read an article about the shelf-life of The Yzerplan being the end of this upcoming season. Not sure I agree with that, but I will say he’s got to be hearing the grumbling and knows it’s steadily going to be a rising crescendo until the calls for a change overwhelm everything else.
We’ve talked about this ad nauseum on another site. The Captain was forced to literally tear down both the Big Club AND GRG. That’s no small task, and it was done quickly. The infusion of new talent in the “A” was remarkable, and they made a solid push into the play-offs. But the tell, for me (only for me), is how kids perform when they’re called up (just to see what we truly have coming up, if that makes sense…). Mo? ROY. Rayzor 3yrs and lead the team in scoring. Eddy? Straight fire. Mazur (dude, if he’s NOT on the ON roster, I”m driving to LCA to have a talk w/The Captain ????), solid shift – too little to tell, but impressive motor, Kasper? This dude is LEGIT, watch him explode this season. Cossa? Man, called up, put it and was a monster – talk about pressure, this kid was Kerry Gold Irish Butter smoothe. Heck, even BearGrin was a different player after the coaching change.
This season may not be a SCPO season (I don’t think so anyway), but 26-27 is when I finally get a Tweeter account and DM The Captain if we don’t make the SCPO. These kids need to be given a solid chance to replace old n slow (hey, call it the way it is…HOLL ????????????????).
An interesting read on the other site…..but it was thought-privoking.
It definitely feels like things fell off the rails with fans and even the press last season. The exit interviews and writers asking Yzerman if he “deserved” to keep his job. I don’t ever reminder that kind of aggression. The result was the office shutting down even tighter and now every interview feels a bit uncomfortable. Add to that Larkin’s comments and it felt pretty combustable. Yzerman’s going to function without being pushed around, for better or worse. It will ultimately be up to ownership whether he stays or goes, everyone is just guessing at this point.
You’re right on the rebuild, only 3 guys left with the organization from Holland (Larkin, Rasmussen, Berggren) it was a total tear down. The drafting has been better, but the free agents have been almost disastrous. Copp, Compher, Holl, Chiarot, Tarasenko all fell pretty short of expectation. After this year several guys come off the books but Copp and Compher don’t. As for Mazur, he’d be on the team (opinion) but injuries have completely derailed him. If he can stay healthy, he can likely grab a bottom 6 job. He’s working out hard, added 15 lbs in the gym. Cossa needs to stabilize. His off days are way too off, so they’re looking for consistency. But I feel really good about these kids.