The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler discusses the NHL’s prospect-and-draft-pick picture a month into prospects’ hockey season, and Wheeler leads his column with one Axel Sandin Pellikka’s early-season performance:
Axel Sandin-Pellikka, RHD, Skellefteå AIK (Detroit Red Wings)
At just 19 years old, Sandin-Pellikka is already an SHL champion, fresh off one of the most productive age-adjusted seasons in the history of Sweden’s top flight for a defenseman, and has been named top defenseman at both U18 worlds and the world juniors. He looks like he has taken yet another step early on in his return to Skellefteå, too. He’s playing more than 19 minutes a night in their top-four, he’s got two goals and five points through six games, and Skellefteå have outscored the opposition 9-4 with him on the ice at five-on-five. He’s defending hard and firm. He looks like a strong 5-foot-11.
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There are some in Sweden who believe ASP is going to be a star in the NHL, and if he becomes one that could potentially change the calculus for the Red Wings as a team. Seven under-20 defensemen have broken the 20-point mark in SHL history. The list includes names like Victor Hedman, Rasmus Dahlin and Moritz Seider. It seems like a foregone conclusion that ASP makes that group eight this year. The all-time U20 scoring record for a D in the league is 11 goals and 31 points in 45 games, set by the Stars’ Nils Lundkvist. I wouldn’t be surprised if he breaks that too.
Continued (paywall); it’s very early, but Sandin Pellikka has lived up to the incredible hype he’s facing as a star prospect. He’s going to have ups and downs as his season progresses, but there’s little doubt as of now that he’s an important part of the Red Wings’ future.
