RD Axel Sandin Pellikka - Skellefteå, SHL (2023, 17th, DET)

[MooMiN]

This will be ASP’s 3rd WJC

Thanks.

Point still stands, even more so, if he can keep the pace going as he has more experience being there before. Although after the first year he was not in the SHL fully.

 

[newfy]

With his track record already as a high pick, top damn at the WJC etc... how long does he have to keep this season going like this before people talk about him as a top 5 or 10 prospect in the world?

 

[raymond23]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1857849564906074148

He's pretty good from that spot

 

[Tetsuo]

Raising this thread from the dead. ASP has been unconscious in the SHL this season and is having a potentially historic season for a young D in that league.

 

[Tetsuo]

He's now at 21 points through 24 games in the SHL as a 19 year old. Was just named captain for the Sweden WJC team.

 

[frontsfan67]

So excited to watch this guy in the World Juniors

 

[GettingYourMoms]

This dude was my favourite defender at wjc, after Jiricek of course. If he was bigger he would be easily top10 pick. I thought RW got a steal, loved how he moved the puck and how mature his game was.

 

[BerthMania]

In the 1st official game of the World Juniors:

Team Slovaqia: 16 shots,2 goals
Axel Sandin Pelikka (a defensemen): 12 shots 3 goals

lol.

 

[MichaelFarrell]

In the 1st official game of the World Juniors:

Team Slovaqia: 16 shots,2 goals
Axel Sandin Pelikka (a defensemen): 12 shots 3 goals

lol.

He’s too good for this level. I don’t know how much impact he’ll have in the NHL, but he’s certainly too good to be playing at the World Juniors imo. Looks like a man among boys.

 

[Realgud]

In the 1st official game of the World Juniors:

Team Slovaqia: 16 shots,2 goals
Axel Sandin Pelikka (a defensemen): 12 shots 3 goals

lol.

12 shots is what the wings usually have after 40 minute of play lol. Definitely could use ASP's shoot first mentality.

 

[newfy]

In the 1st official game of the World Juniors:

Team Slovaqia: 16 shots,2 goals
Axel Sandin Pelikka (a defensemen): 12 shots 3 goals

lol.

And an assists on the first goal.

Didn't realize that shot stat though, that's wild lol

 

[HoweFan]

We really need him in Detroit. I hope he doesn’t have to marinate in GR too long

 

[jaa]

Nhl ready. Gällivare's makar lol

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

We really need him in Detroit. I hope he doesn’t have to marinate in GR too long

Just be glad he'll never have to suffer through Newsy's strategy of "Hold the puck until the net is wide open".

 

[FLAMESFAN]

Had the game on, only half watching, but man heard his name over & over.

 

[dj Mahoney]

Shocked he wasn't drafted higher in the draft . Similar player to Adam Boqvist (8thoverall)

 

[Petes2424]

He was the best player on the ice. Not sure how anyone would even attempt arguing that, but it is an internet message board.

For those who haven’t seen him over the last year, you’ll notice he has a little more nastiness he’s added to his stick work, and he’s obviously physically stronger, but his overall ability to “think the game” is just above and beyond. Which is exactly why it’s hard to see him not becoming a really good NHLer.

Craig Button kept referencing Sergei Zubov as a comparison, and with his shot from the circle, absolutely. I’ve maintained he’s closer to Letang than anyone else, but Zubov is a very good comparison when you add how dangerous his shot is, and that little bit of nastiness I mentioned.

Sweden’s gonna be tough when 6 of their 7 dmen are drafted NHL prospects, and a few of them are so highly regarded. Thought Willinder and Epstein were both solid as well, but Sandin-Pellikka was clearly on a different level than any other player in that game.

Looks very much like someone who won’t be playing in the AHL much, if at all.

 

[Our Lady Peace]

He was the best player on the ice. Not sure how anyone would even attempt arguing that, but it is an internet message board.

For those who haven’t seen him over the last year, you’ll notice he has a little more nastiness he’s added to his stick work, and he’s obviously physically stronger, but his overall ability to “think the game” is just above and beyond. Which is exactly why it’s hard to see him not becoming a really good NHLer.

Craig Button kept referencing Sergei Zubov as a comparison, and with his shot from the circle, absolutely. I’ve maintained he’s closer to Letang than anyone else, but Zubov is a very good comparison when you add how dangerous his shot is, and that little bit of nastiness I mentioned.

Sweden’s gonna be tough when 6 of their 7 dmen are drafted NHL prospects, and a few of them are so highly regarded. Thought Willinder and Epstein were both solid as well, but Sandin-Pellikka was clearly on a different level than any other player in that game.

Looks very much like someone who won’t be playing in the AHL much, if at all.

Offensively, I've thought that once the ice gets smaller he has had no problem generating offense. Even in the the SHL the way he picks spots with and without the puck in the tightest of spaces is second to none. Gets passes and shots off in a blink of an eye with precision

The scenario where I see him starting in the AHL is cleaning up his remaining defensive shortcomings when the ice is smaller but more importantly the rush and the forecheckers are bigger, faster, and harder to contain. With that being said, he has come a long way since 2023 and continues to learn and adapt in those regards

His development arc continues to be absolutely bonkers

 

[Hierso]

He’s too good for this level. I don’t know how much impact he’ll have in the NHL, but he’s certainly too good to be playing at the World Juniors imo. Looks like a man among boys.

Worst case for Detroit is that he spends a year in AHL to adapt for a smaller rink. With the roster that Detorit has he shouldn't have any real trouble getting in imo.

 

[Quinning]

ASP and Willander on the same pairing is going to dominate this tournament. Different players but if they can find chemistry, there isn't another team with a pairing to match that skill level.

 

[Hazy Little Thing]

He was the best player on the ice. Not sure how anyone would even attempt arguing that, but it is an internet message board.

For those who haven’t seen him over the last year, you’ll notice he has a little more nastiness he’s added to his stick work, and he’s obviously physically stronger, but his overall ability to “think the game” is just above and beyond. Which is exactly why it’s hard to see him not becoming a really good NHLer.

Craig Button kept referencing Sergei Zubov as a comparison, and with his shot from the circle, absolutely. I’ve maintained he’s closer to Letang than anyone else, but Zubov is a very good comparison when you add how dangerous his shot is, and that little bit of nastiness I mentioned.

Sweden’s gonna be tough when 6 of their 7 dmen are drafted NHL prospects, and a few of them are so highly regarded. Thought Willinder and Epstein were both solid as well, but Sandin-Pellikka was clearly on a different level than any other player in that game.

Looks very much like someone who won’t be playing in the AHL much, if at all.

The developmental curves of Willander and ASP are fun to follow. Obviously a few years away from finding out what was the best path. Willander learning the NA game but playing against weak competition in the aggregate. ASP playing against top non-NHL competition and dominating but obviously not learning the NA game.

 

[tabness]

He’s too good for this level. I don’t know how much impact he’ll have in the NHL, but he’s certainly too good to be playing at the World Juniors imo. Looks like a man among boys.

this is exactly how he will look in the nhl too

best d since Orr

 

[Czechboy]

Hoping he makes Team Sweden for the World's.. mens world's which I think are in Sweden. Would be a great learning experience.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Thought Willinder and Epstein were both solid as well

Freudian slip?

 

[SCD]

People who have not watched ASP play much, may not realize one of his greatest attributes. He has the uncanny ability to shoot to a lane that is opening, rather than blasting a shot in an open lane. These are often wrist shots that viewers call soft goals. I believe his third goal yesterday was a good example.