Red Wings Making Room For Youth

Both Michael Brandsegg Nygard and Axel Sandin Pellikka spoke about their nerves being on edge as final cutdown day looms for the Detroit Red Wings.

“Been unable to sleep,” Brandsegg-Nygard said. He’s rooming with Sandin Pellikka.

“Axel and I were talking about trying to make the team. I mean, it’s both of our dreams to be here, so I mean it would mean a lot to make the team as a player this year.”

The way things are unfolding, it’s looking as though both players – along with fellow rookie Emmitt Finnie – might be able to breathe a little easier.

#NHL Waiver Notables Sunday:

D Justin Holl DET
G Mikey DiPietro BOS
G Cayden Primeau CAR
F Sammy Blais MTL
G Kaapo Kahkonen MTL
D Calen Addison NJD
F Arthur Kaliyev OTT
C Jan Jenik OTT
D Ville Heinola WPG
F Walker Duehr OTT
D Max Jones EDM
D Erik Gustafsson DET

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) October 5, 2025

Sunday afternoon, the Red Wings placed veteran defenseman Justin Holl and Erik Gustafsson on waivers. If they clear waivers, both could be assigned to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.

That would reduce the Detroit roster to the NHL limit of 23 players. Center Nate Danielson and defenseman Shai Buium remain with the team but are on the non-roster injury list.

All Three Rookies Have Earned Red Wings Spots

Each of Sandin Pellikka, Finnie, and Brandsegg-Nygard has answered every challenge put before them during the NHL preseason.

MBN, who turned 20 on Sunday, shared the NHL preseason scoring lead with seven points.

“Every night, he just keeps getting better and better,” Red Wings coach Todd McLellan said. He has an impact on the game. Obviously, yes, scoring, but even his heaviness and his grind component to his game is something we appreciate.”

At 6-foot-1 and 206 pounds, among the three, MBN is the most physically suited for the upcoming 82-game grind that is the NHL regular season.

Who impressed you most this preseason? 👀

The 2025-26 season kicks off Tuesday on @espn! #NHLFaceOff pic.twitter.com/sObRh1Q5Jd

— NHL (@NHL) October 5, 2025

“He’s a man,” McLellan said. “You look at him when he walks around … and he’s a man. He’s thick, he’s heavy.

“Him and Emmitt Finnie (6-1, 190) are two different body types. And right now, Brand’s is way closer to being a man. That’s not anything against Emmitt, but (MBN is) just heavier, he’s stronger. He’s probably better equipped to play that heavier, grinding game.

“And he uses what God gave him, and he uses it well. So credit to him.”

That’s not meant to diminish the impact that Finnie and Sandin Pellikka have brought to the ice in their bids to earn spots on the DC roster.

“It’s their job to impress and they’ve done their job, McLellan said. “It’s our job to pay attention. And I hope we’ve done that and see where it all goes.”