Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen offers theories as to what Red Wings prospect defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka will have to show Detroit’s coaching staff to make the Red Wings’ roster this upcoming season:
Today, the numbers don’t add up in his favor. Moritz Seider, Simon Edvinsson, Justin Faulk and Ben Chiarot own the top four spots. Albert Johansson isn’t going to let himself become displaced. Jacob Benard-Docker has also earned some trust.
Even if Detroit carries eight defensemen, no general manager wants an intriguing 21-year-old defenseman prospect in a No. 7 defenseman role. He wants him playing 20-plus minutes per game in the American Hockey League.
It doesn’t help Sandin-Pellikka’s cause that he is still waivers exempt, meaning he can be sent down without putting him on waivers.
“It’s hard to crack the league,” McLellan said. “It’s even harder to crack this league as a small offensive guy because he’s got to figure some things out.”
The Red Wings want Sandin-Pellikka to figure out how to master his defensive responsibilities because they respect his offensive knack. He totaled seven goals and 21 points last season. That made him the third-highest scoring defenseman on the team. He did that averaging 16 minutes per game, and there were a meaningful number of games when he played three, four or five fewer minutes.
“We’re not overly concerned at all about the offensive part,” McLellan said. “He’s got great vision, good legs going down the wall. He shoots the puck well.”
