Detroit Red Wings
FINALLY: Details on Sandin Pellikka US Arrival; Will He Join Red Wings?
Swedish prospect’s team out of SHL playoffs
When he will be playing for the Detroit Red Wings is still up in the air for defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka.
Next week? Next season?
He says he doesn’t know.
“I will go over eventually, but I don’t know when,” Sandin Pellikka told Swedish website Aftonbladet.
His agent says it will be sooner rather than later.
“Axel Sandin-Pellikka will travel to the USA and Detroit in the next few days, Sandin Pellikka’s agent Claes Elefalk told Swedish media site Flokbladet. “The plan is for him to join the AHL team Grand Rapids Griffins.”
What is certain at the moment is that ASP has played his final SHL game for Skelleftea.
Axel Sandin Pellikka(1st round’23 for Skellefteå) with a chance off the post. #LGRW #Skeaik pic.twitter.com/GSS9Etj6NX
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) April 12, 2025
They were 4-1 losers to Brynas in both their game on Saturday and in their SHL semifinal series.
“The fact that it’s the last game for a while makes this extra hard,” Sandin Pellikka told Swedish website Expressen after the loss. “I’ve been playing here for six years, and it’s harder than I thought it would be.
“It’s mostly emptiness.”
Sandin Pellikka was selected 17th overall by Detroit in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. He believes that his time in Skelleftea has prepared him to take the next step in his hockey journey.
“There are so many people in this club who have helped me in a fantastic way,” he said. “I’ve been given good conditions, and I’m winning for life. The coaches have loved me. The entire organization deserves praise.”
Will ASP Join Red Wings?
What’s the next step for ASP? While he says he doesn’t know and the Red Wings aren’t offering any hints, there are a few logical paths he could be taking.
Firstly, he could come to Detroit right away. The Red Wings may be looking at using him in some regular-season games once the club is officially eliminated from the NHL playoffs. That moment could come as soon as tonight, if the Montreal Canadiens claim at least a point from their road game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Another possibility would for the Red Wings to assign him directly to the AHL Griffins. Or Sandin Pellikka could join the Griffins once the Red Wings season concludes.
Skellefteå lose 4-1
Axel Sandin Pellikka(1st round’23 for Skellefteå)
-1 2 SOG 20:44 TOI
Michael Brandsegg-Nygård (1st round’24)
+/-0 1 Assist 3 Hits 1 shot 14:30 TOIASP robbed of an assist. MBN with a nice physical game, picked up an assist. Next stop North America. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/cmfeO2hgB7
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) April 12, 2025
The other part of the equation here is right-winger Michael Brandsegg-Nygard. The player Detroit chose 15th overall in the 2024 NHL draft, collected an assist on Skelleftea’s lone goal Saturday. He was good for four goals in 10 playoff games.
However, Brandsegg-Nygard is expected to be playing for Norway in the upcoming IIHF World Championships. Will he come to North America for a brief look, or head straight to his homeland to prepare for the worlds?
He seems to think that the former is going to be the case.
“It’s as soon as possible, actually,” Brandsegg-Nygard told Aftonbladet of when he’ll be heading to North America.
