The Athletic’s Max Bultman checks in with 10 of the Red Wings’ top prospects at American Thanksgiving, and we’ll start at the top:
Axel Sandin-Pellikka, RHD, Skellefteå (SHL)
Since the moment the Red Wings drafted Sandin-Pellikka, the hope has been that he could grow into their top offensive blueliner of the future. After a season and a half, that possibility looks like more than just hope as Sandin-Pellikka scores his way into uncharted territory for a junior-aged defenseman in the SHL.
Through 22 games, he’s up to seven goals and 19 points, a production rate (0.86 per game) that has him on pace to shatter the SHL’s all-time U20 defense scoring record. The current mark is 31 points in 45 games, held by Dallas’ Nils Lundkvist in 2019-20 and narrowly trailed by the Red Wings’ own Moritz Seider, who had 28 in 41 a year later. It’s an extremely impressive production for the 19-year-old.
“He’s so smart,” Red Wings assistant director of player development Dan Cleary said. “He’s positionally smart, he’s got a real feel for time and space. Very deceptive, he can manipulate players and situations.”
Lundkvist does serve as a bit of a cautionary tale, though, that SHL production does not always translate to North America: the former Rangers first-round pick ended up being traded to the Stars shortly after coming overseas and has struggled to carve out an impactful role since, playing less than 14 minutes a night (with just one point) so far this season. I don’t point that out to rain on anyone’s Sandin-Pellikka parade, but rather to temper expectations, especially with regard to his timeline.
I would expect him to come over to North America next season, but likely to spend the whole season in Grand Rapids adjusting to the ice, speed and physicality of the North American game. From there, the key will be how many other dimensions Sandin-Pellikka can bring beyond his obvious aptitude on the power play. His ability to defend, in spite of his 5-foot-11 stature, could be what determines whether he can slot in as a consistent top-four blueliner in the future.
Continued (paywall)
