Top Red Wings defensive prospect Axel Sandin-Pellikka taking the next major step
The Red Wings are rightfully excited about the potential of defensive prospect Axel Sandin-Pellikka, who is now taking the next step in his professional career!
The Detroit Red Wings and their fans are rightfully looking forward to what defenseman Axel-Sandin Pellikka can accomplish, and he's getting ready to take the next step in his professional career.
Sandin-Pellikka will represent Sweden on the Swedish senior national team in the upcoming Beijer Hockey Games, having been recently named to their roster.
According to Swedish national team coach Sam Hallam, Sandin-Pellikka is the top defenseman in the SHL and is doing whatever is necessary to take the next step in his improvement.
He has basically been the SHL's best offensive defenseman.
He just keeps taking steps, he's never satisfied. We felt we really wanted to test him at this level.
It's a step up. I'm absolutely convinced he has the puck game in him. Then it'll be fun to see him in the game without the puck here, too.
Axel Sandin-Pellikka was named the best defenseman during the recent 2025 World Juior Championships
Sandin-Pellikka was named the captain of Team Sweden in the recent 2025 World Junior Championships and kicked off the tournament by scoring a hat trick.
He was also named the tournament's best defenseman.
Sandin-Pellikka was made the 17th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft by the Red Wings, who have a rich tradition of top Swedish talent on the blue line including Nicklas Lidstrom and Niklas Kronwall.
Sandin-Pellikka has drawn comparisons to players like Cale Makar and Erik Karlsson, meaning that Red Wings fans have every right to be optimistic about what he can accomplish when he eventually is a regular in the Detroit lineup.
POLL |
JANVIER 29 | 155 ANSWERS Top Red Wings defensive prospect Axel Sandin-Pellikka taking the next major step When will Axel Sandin-Pellikka make his Red Wings debut? |
Next year | 115 | 74.2 % |
2+ years | 40 | 25.8 % |
3+ years | 0 | 0 % |
List of polls |
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