Axel Sandin Pellikka's Agent Issues Huge Statement On His Future in Detroit

The Detroit Red Wings drafted Swedish defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka 17th, in the 1st round of the 2023 NHL Draft.

The move would receive a lot of fanfare from Red Wings faithful, as they have a great history with Swedish defenseman, i.e. Nicklas Lidstrom.

While it'd be premature to say he has a ceiling as high as Lidstrom's, there's talk of him making his way to Detroit after the playoffs in the SHL ends.

He'd just as soon sign his three-year ELC in 2024 and would be loaned back to the Skellefteå AIK to play one more season in the SHL.

This is a typical way of how NHL teams handle SHL players' contracts, and now GM Steve Yzerman will want Sandin Pellikka to become a professional hockey player in the NHL.

Could he prove to be a top-four defenseman in the NHL?

We'll have to find out, as Skelleftea are contenders in the SHL and could become champions once again if they can grind it out against contenders Farjelstad Karlstad, who has plenty of NHL veterans and former prospects on their roster.

But, afterward, if the team fails to make the playoffs, they could end up sending him over to play in a few NHL games, but if the season ends later the AHL's Grand Rapid Griffins are his likely destination.

This season the defenseman has played 46 games for Skelleftea AIK, and scored 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists) with 22 PIMs.