Two days ago, Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen posted a profile regarding one Michael Brandsegg-Nygard’s NHL potential, and today, he discusses Axel Sandin Pellikka:
Three Reasons Why Sandin-Pellikka Will Play in the NHL
- He’s a poised puck-handler, unflappable when the puck is on his stick, comfortable with the puck in traffic. Unbothered by pressure.
- Knows how to guide his shots to the net. Has a knack of avoiding shot blockers. It’s his timing and instincts. His seven goals, on 68 shots, in 68 games, while averaging of 16 minutes per game, is noteworthy. That’s a shooting percentage of 10.3%. Seider had seven goals in his rookie season and five in his second season. He was playing 23 minutes per game. In his first two seasons, Seider had at least 140 shots in both seasons.
- The young Swede has a high hockey IQ. He anticipates well, appreciates how each play is developing.
What May Hold Him Back
His minus-21 plus-minus was an accurate reflection of how he played defensively in his first NHL campaign. He competed but often seemed overmatched. Late in games, Coach Todd McLellan didn’t always trust him, if they were trying to hold a lead. He needs to add some strength. Sandin-Pellikka said the Red Wings want him to bring more intensity.
Continued; I believe that Axel Sandin Pellikka will eventually become an excellent offensive defenseman, but I also feel that the Wings rushed him into action a bit last season.
Listed at 6′ and 185 pounds, he’s not small, but he really projects to be a Brian Rafalski-like defenseman in a best outcome–in other words, someone who’s not going to overwhelm your physically, but also someone whose skills with the puck are going to generate a whole lot of offense while improving his defensive play.
