Red Wings’ Prospects Can Soar in Calder Cup Playoffs

Red Wings fans have no lack of desire to see playoff hockey on ice again. In fact, the entire organization itself shares the sentiment with the fanbase. The team’s Exit Day press conferences made this clear. General Manager Steve Yzerman and head coach Todd McLellan painted a picture colored by common frustration and unmet expectations.Gr

For now, there’s one silver lining. Red Wings supports can follow the Calder Cup playoffs progress of the Grand Rapids Griffins. Additionally, if Lady Luck is on their side (the odds are slim) the Red Wings could move up in Monday’s NHL Draft Lottery.

Eyes on Sandin-Pellikka

The parent team has a clear deficit defensively. Intriguingly, one of the most highly touted Red Wing drafted blue liners, Axel Sandin-Pellikka, has made the trip from Sweden. The 2023 first-round selection spent two impressive years in Sweden’s SHL and IIHF international tournaments. The young defenseman turned 20 on March 11.

Reds Wings’ hockey operations brass and fans alike are easier to see how quickly Sandin-Pellikka adapts.. Unfortunately, Grand Rapids did not fare well in Game 1 of the playoffs. The team was shut out, 4-0, by the Texas Stars. Moreover, goalie Sebastian Cossa was pulled after allowing four goals on 18 shots. 

The Griffins came out flat in Game One. However, both Sandin-Pellikka and Amadeus Lombardi showed flashes of their potential. With a six-day gap before Game Two, it stands to reason that the group will be sharper and fiercer at puck drop. 

The blue line blues for Motown tend to focus on Petry (UFA), Holl (signed one more year)  Ben Chiarot (one more year) and Erik Gustafsson (one more year) with Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson seeing more time in a top line pairing at the season’s end. Albert Johansson seemed to develop his game through the season and gain more confidence in his game.   In other words, the drafted young players rose to the top without much competition and not nearly enough support. 

Pundits and fans alike panned the trade that saw Jake Walman essentially given away with a pick attached. Additionally, losing Shayne Gostisbehere to free agency remains a sore spot. The natural tendency to look within the organizational pipeline, particularly on defense, is a high profile opportunity for Sandin-Pellikka, Antti Tuomisto, William Wallinder, Shai Buium and Anton Johansson. The tandem of Buium and Johansson brought much-needed physicality. The organization needs more of that trait.

Upcoming NHL Opportunities?

In camp, youngsters need a legitimate chance to grab a spot.  The focus from fans and some observers seems to fall on a potential buyout for Holl, and coupled with Petry’s departure (assuming he isn’t re signed) that opens two right shot opportunities. Tuomisto seems to be a candidate for a bottom pairing slot. Sandin-Pellikka’s projection is a bit more challenging.

Sandin-Pellikka’s game is very offensively driven. His prime skills include open passing and shooting lanes in the offensive zone. Playing that game successfully as an NHL rookie requires a steady defense partner. The youngster’s partner needs the ability to cover for defensive shortcomings. Offensive D often overcommit and rotate down to the faceoff dot. Sanndin-Pellikka excelled in pinching offensively while playing in Europe. The trade-off: the risk-taking will likely lead to some hard lessons against the best league in the world. 

Bridging that potential gap is the question mark. It would help alleviate concerns to see a strong offseason performance in the AHL. Ditto a strong camp and preseason. Grand Rapids added multiple players for the postseason: Johansson, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard as well as Sandin-Pellikka. The newcomers have had about two weeks worth of practice to find their stride.

Red Wings Top Prospect Axel Sandin-Pellikka on getting used to handling/moving the puck on the smaller North American Ice after his 3rd game in the AHL…

“You have more time than you think and you can make plays, I’ll continue to get better.” #LGRW pic.twitter.com/Fi5I968lob

— Justin Satawa (@Justin_Satawa) April 30, 2025

The second contest against Texas is another opportunity to see the potential defensive upgrades within the organization. It is up to the players and the team to make the most of the spotlight and force themselves into the conversation.