The Detroit Red Wings season has taken an all-too-familiar turn toward the unfortunate, but one Detroit prospect is doing his best to provide optimism for the future in Hockeytown.
Axel Sandin-Pellikka (whom the Red Wings selected with the 17th pick in the 2023 NHL Draft) scored his 12th SHL goal of the season Saturday for Skellefteå, setting a new record for goals by a junior-aged (i.e. under-20) defenseman in league history. The goal stood as the game-winner for Skellefteå, who scored a vital 2–1 win over league leaders Brynäs.
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After the win, Sandin-Pellikka will be gearing up for a deep SHL playoff run, but for Red Wings fans, it's impossible not to look forward to his North American future. As noted by Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman in his post-trade deadline remarks, it's possible Sandin-Pellikka could come to the United States for the end of the season once his SHL campaign wraps up.
More than likely, that would mean joining the Grand Rapids Griffins for the end of their season, though, depending on how the Red Wings playoff push progresses, perhaps he could also make an NHL cameo.
The more significant question is probably where Sandin-Pellikka will begin his '25-26 campaign, and once again, the likeliest answer to that question is Grand Rapids. Sure, Sandin-Pellikka could play his way into a role with the Red Wings out of camp, but Yzerman has tended to exercise patience with his drafted prospects (especially so with defensemen), preferring to see them thrive with the Griffins before advancing to an NHL role.
Regardless of Sandin-Pellikka's precise timeline to Detroit, he's certainly providing excitement for the future at a time when Hockeytown could use a boost.
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