With a day to breathe and look at what scenarios could play themselves out in Detroit’s final 11 games as they sit 1 point out of the playoffs after a loss to Nashville and wins for the Caps, there is a player that continues to have some intrigue. Axel Sandin-Pellikka
Elite Prospects has the right shot Dman picked 17th (a selection Detroit got as part of the Hronek deal) listed at 5’11” and around 180lbs. In terms of Yzerman’s first round Dmen for Detroit, this is a bit of a departure from Seider at 6’4” and Edvinsson at 6’6”. The Province had a post on March 12th looking at the pick from Vancouver’s point of view. Part of the article reads:
“Sandin Pellikka turned 19 on Monday, and he is the youngest regular with Skelleftea, who were second in the 14-team Swedish Hockey League going into this final week of the regular season.
Sandin Pellikka sat with 10 goals and 17 points through 38 games. For perspective, Tampa Bay Lightning star rearguard Victor Hedman had seven goals and 21 points in 43 games in his 18-year-old season in the SHL in 2008-09.”
You can see some of the young D man’s work in the highlight clips above. Even with missing games from a WJC injury, respectable numbers for an 18 year old to put up. The lament of “The Province” discusses a potential turn in fortunes for the team with eyes on a promising Detroit draftee.
He and Danielson are the players I really want to keep an eye on during training camp and in the prospects tournament. The adjustment to the North American game can be rough, and Detroit (as of yet) hasn’t signed the ELC on Axel. It will be interesting to see where his 2nd year of development is played and what the organization will ask in terms of growing his ga https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2024/03/red-wings-reassign-jonathan-berggren.html">Per PHR, via a team statement, Berggren (after 5 games of being a healthy scratch) is headed back to Grand Rapids. The rumored “sourness” is briefly mentioned and PHR seems as baffled as the commenting faithful at the lack of NHL time for the prospect on an expiring ELC.
The rumor of an unsuccessful extension attempt combined with the AHL relegation combine for that possibility that fans don’t have an appetite for. The player and organization could be at a parting of ways. This could change in a second, and Detroit just needs to qualify him to retain his rights as an RFA with arbitration rights. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Some of you have pointed out that waivers may have come into play in the choice not to play the young forward. Still, whatever the reason, the extension isn’t done.
So, let me know in the comments. Is Sandin-Pellikka on your radar and potential Grand Rapids bound? Do you think Detroit and Berggren will part ways and further diminish the players left from Holland’s tenure with Larkin, Rasmussen and Veleno left standing?
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»