Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff wonders aloud whether the Red Wings should bring Axel Sandin Pellikka over to North America as soon as Skelleftea AIK’s season is over, all while referring to an article in Expressen in which Red Wings VP of hockey operations Nicklas Lidstrom spoke about Sandin Pellikka’s potential:
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.
