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Should Red Wings Consider Inserting Sandin Pellikka For Playoff Drive?

Swedish sensation could be available as early as mid-March

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2 weeks ago

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Axel Sandin Pellikka, Red Wings prospect
Axel Sandin Pellikka could be done in the SHL by mid-March. Should the Red Wings put him in the lineup for a playoff drive?

Let’s assume for a moment that this sudden surge by the Detroit Red Wings is more than merely a new coach bump. Suppose they do climb up into playoff contention in the NHL’s Eastern Conference entering the final month of the season.

Wouldn’t that be good timing to introduce Axel Sandin Pellikka’s unique skillset into the lineup?

The IIHF World Junior Championship reaching a conclusion on the weekend, Sandin Pellikka was finishing as the top defenseman in the tourney for the second year in a row. Players who have done that form a short list – him and former Red Wings icon Viacheslav Fetisov.

At the 1995 NHL trade deadline, the Red Wings were acquiring Fetisov to help them make a run at the Stanley Cup. If they want help on the back end for a late-season playoff push, they don’t need to play let’s make a deal.

Help is right there, just waiting for the call.

Sandin Pellikka, 19, is going back to Skelleftea to finish out the SHL season. The defending champs are struggling this season. Were they to make an early playoff exit, he might be available to the Red Wings as early as mid-March.

Detroit could insert the player they chose 17th overall in the 2023 NHL entry draft into the lineup in the same manner that Simon Edvinsson was called up from the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins for last season’s pursuit of a postseason place.

Red Wings Prefer to Slow Cook Their Prospects

Now, of course we are all aware that rushing a kid into action isn’t the style the Red Wings prefer to implement with their prospects.

“It is very elaborate and very careful,” was how Red Wings legend and the club’s vice-president of hockey oeprations Nicklas Lidstrom was describing the method the club prefers with young players to Swedish website Expressen.

Here’s the thing, though. We’re not suggesting that Detroit should put Sandin Pellikka into a top-four role like Edvinsson. Heck, he doesn’t even need to play in the top three pairings to contribute effectively.

The Red Wings could opt to go with an 11-7 lineup, because really, is anyone going to miss the presence of Christian Fischer or Tyler Motte? Give the kid some spot shifts, but mostly, let Sandin Pellikka make the power play cook.

After all, it’s what he does best. Just ask Lidstrom.

“We see his skill with the puck in the power play,” Lidstrom said. “It’s the kind of role we’d see him in Detroit as well.”

The potpourri of skills and hockey IQ that ASP brings to the ice can even wow the greatest Swedish defenseman of them all.

Lidstrom Impressed by Sandin Pellika’s Skillset

“The shot is something you notice,” Lidstrom said. “It’s incredibly good. But precisely his understanding of the game and reading situations . . . He is very quick-thinking and sees solutions all the time.

“Very skilful, and a good skater.”

In Sandin Pellikka, Lidstrom sees a player wise beyond his years.

“He has good self-confidence,” Lidstrom said. “Not in a headstrong or cocky way, but he exudes maturity.

“It probably has a lot to do with the fact that he has been around for a while at senior level. I think he is mature in his way of being, not only on the ice but also off it.”

It surely means he’ll be in Detroit sooner rather than later. But exactly how soon remains the question of the day.

“He is in a good situation now in Skelleftea,” Lidstrom said. “Good team, good older experienced players all around.

“Then, as I said, you have to decide after the season what the next step will be for him.”

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Ken

Bring him to Detroit when his SHL season ends. Just like they did with Kasper.

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RWHockey13

Would be nice if he would come to NA for sure. Even GR will be in the playoffs. He can get some time there as well. Either way, good stuff for ASP.

On another note, I wonder when Buchelnikov is coming over. Does he stay another season in the KHL? When does he tell Detroit that is ready to come over? The Wings have not yet signed him to a contract. Sure, he still has time, but hopefully he makes that decision sooner.

Next year, seeing Kiiskinen in GR would be nice. This pick-up may be a very good surprise.

These are three prospects I want to see sooner. Does MBN stay another year in the SHL?

Last edited 13 days ago by RWHockey13
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Mike Babcock

I’m feeling better about trading Gibson now.

He had a rough WJC.

WJC doesn’t tell everything about a player.

Puljujarvi was a star in this tournament and he turned out to be a complete bust.

I did like what I saw out of Kiiskinen.

Especially his compete level. 😁

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John P.

The last thing the Red Wings should do is rush Sandin Pellikka to the NHL and then have him play low minutes with lessor skilled teammates. They’re doing this with Kasper and I think the growth in his game has stalled. Axel should play where he can get the most minutes and work on expanding his skill set. That could be another year in the SHL under the tutelage of Kronwall or in Grand Rapids. My bet is he stays another year in the SHL.

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Mike Babcock

No.

Just watched ASP in the WJC and he’s definitely as advertised if not better.

But he needs to add some muscle and fill out to play with the big boys in the NHL.

No need to fast track his development.

Last edited 13 days ago by Mike Babcock
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Mark W

I think it would be an ideal fit for this particular player to go to GR right now. Let him adapt for a bit then use him in the playoffs either in Detroit or GR. Staying on a going no place Swedish team is a waste of time. In fact imho he ought to have been up in GR all season.

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Red1

I think if the Wings can lock up a playoff spot then bring him in for a cup of coffee, or after they’re eliminated. Either or.

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