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

[Kaners PPGs]

iq+hands+shot+egdes=best pp qb in nhl 2026/27 (the same season detroit becomes contenders,with asp n edvinsson becoming the perfect duo)

I haven't watched ASP play but I listened to an analyst talk about how he's not really a PPQB and more of a shooter in the Ovie spot on PP which he'll most likely not have in the NHL. Can someone speak to a stylistic comp for ASP? (And for the record, I have ASP in two dynasty league so I am definitely hoping for his success but I have been a little skeptical of his points totals in the SHL and whether they'd relate to the NHL.)

 

[RedHawkDown]

I haven't watched ASP play but I listened to an analyst talk about how he's not really a PPQB and more of a shooter in the Ovie spot on PP which he'll most likely not have in the NHL. Can someone speak to a stylistic comp for ASP? (And for the record, I have ASP in two dynasty league so I am definitely hoping for his success but I have been a little skeptical of his points totals in the SHL and whether they'd relate to the NHL.)

There’s no reason he can’t have that spot in Detroit. We have no shooters on the team.

Stylistically he reminds me a lot of Zubov.

 

[Our Lady Peace]

I haven't watched ASP play but I listened to an analyst talk about how he's not really a PPQB and more of a shooter in the Ovie spot on PP which he'll most likely not have in the NHL. Can someone speak to a stylistic comp for ASP? (And for the record, I have ASP in two dynasty league so I am definitely hoping for his success but I have been a little skeptical of his points totals in the SHL and whether they'd relate to the NHL.)

This might be unconventionally spoken of around here but honestly he reminds me a lot Brent Burns, but only a measly 6 inches shorter and some 40 pounds lighter

Volume shooters, both dance along the line, often found along the left point/halfwall to fire home one-timers, excellent hand eye coordination to get off difficult shots with velocity. Stretch passing, puck rushing too

IMO both defend similarly by the way of how they close gaps against the rush and now ASP being physically engaging along the boards more this season. Again, effectiveness of that for a 6'5 man versus a 5'11 kid obviously has its differences. ASP doesn't throw big hits. He's getting pushed around less this season

Kris Letang is also a fair comparison based on their size too. Seen that one thrown around a lot

 

[theVladiator]

I haven't watched ASP play but I listened to an analyst talk about how he's not really a PPQB and more of a shooter in the Ovie spot on PP which he'll most likely not have in the NHL. Can someone speak to a stylistic comp for ASP? (And for the record, I have ASP in two dynasty league so I am definitely hoping for his success but I have been a little skeptical of his points totals in the SHL and whether they'd relate to the NHL.)

Personally, I see this observation as a testament to power and accuracy of his shot. Neither his SHL team, nor the Sweden's national team appear to have a better shooter to put in that spot on PP. Think about that for a minute, that includes forwards as well. Doesn't mean ASP would not be able to play QB role if the team had a better shooter. After all, he seems to be doing just fine walking the blue line at even strength, vision and passing are there as well.

 

[Preposterone]

I haven't watched ASP play but I listened to an analyst talk about how he's not really a PPQB and more of a shooter in the Ovie spot on PP which he'll most likely not have in the NHL. Can someone speak to a stylistic comp for ASP? (And for the record, I have ASP in two dynasty league so I am definitely hoping for his success but I have been a little skeptical of his points totals in the SHL and whether they'd relate to the NHL.)

He’s played in both the ovie spot and top of the umbrella in the shl.

 

[BluesyShoes]

I think ASP is more than capable as a PPQB. Not sure if he is as gifted in that role as say Lane Hutson has shown to be as a possession style QB, but having ASP's shooting threat from distance, and being able to walk the line and see the ice to my mind is just a different flavour of an effective PPQB.

The benefit of having both Willander and ASP on the powerplay, though, is it allows ASP to pinch up way higher on the halfwall to make plays, and stand "between the dots" for a point blank shooting threat, as Button loves to talk about on the TSN broadcast. It's an ideal spot for a guy like ASP--maybe Detroit will do the same in some schemes. It also allows the unit to rotate through coverage if Willander skates down the right halfwall while still having a D at the top, which is a good way to find more openings against better PK units (Sweden has had a pretty easy go of it so far.)

Last year when Lekkerimaki was on the U20 team, we saw ASP as the PPQB in Willander's current spot, and Lekkerimaki in ASP's spot as the shooter--and that worked great, too. Can't remember if Willander was on the 2nd unit or just PK duty only.

 

[Random Comment]

my favourite non nhl defenceman after Nikishin. World Juniors too easy for him.

 

[suovas]

I know ASP has worked a lot with Pierre Johnson, a defensive coach in Sweden, but other than that, from everything I understand, most of his hockey sense came from his dad, and just his commitment to the game. He knew early on, if you can walk the blue line, it opens your game up considerably in the offensive zone.

His father was a cross-country skier.

 

[TheOctopusKid]

The Wings don't need him to run PPQB technically. Seider is going to run one, Ed looks more than capable to run the 2nd. What the Wings lack, is a off-hand triggerman to rip one timers.

Enter ASP, and MBN.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Named best d-man at the WJC for second year in a row.

 

[Luigi#17]

Named best d-man at the WJC for second year in a row.

Yeah, but Cole Hutson was better IMO. Scoring more important goals, not taking stupid penalties, production about the same.

 

[Jukurit]

Very good offensive defenseman, but I think he'll have some defensive struggles in NHL.

 

[TimeZone]

Yeah, but Cole Hutson was better IMO. Scoring more important goals, not taking stupid penalties, production about the same.

I think they got it right, Cole has a bit more flash but Sandin-Pellikka seemed to have the puck on his stick and control the overall play more than any D I've seen at this tournament in a while.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Very good offensive defenseman, but I think he'll have some defensive struggles in NHL.

I believe he was on the ice for one 5v5 goal this tournament (right as a PK was ending).

 

[schuelma24]

It feels like people just see his size and look at h is point production and assume ASP sucks on D. He's solid.

 

[Carmine Cirella]

Named best d-man at the WJC for second year in a row.

And before that he was best d-man at the U-18.
If he continues his play my guess is he also wins SHL d-man of the year after winning the Salming trophy (for the swedish d-man of the year) last season...and oh, he's still only 19 .
With this list of accomplishments he honestly has to be considered an A+ prospect at this point, no?

 

[nbwingsfan]

Named best d-man at the WJC for second year in a row.

First player to do so since Fetisov IIRC

Is that good?

 

[newfy]

I believe he was on the ice for one 5v5 goal this tournament (right as a PK was ending).

That must've been against the Czechs? Going into that game I'm pretty sure he was on the ice for one goal against and it was on a PK, no 5 on 5 goals against

And before that he was best d-man at the U-18.
If he continues his play my guess is he also wins SHL d-man of the year after winning the Salming trophy (for the swedish d-man of the year) last season...and oh, he's still only 19 .
With this list of accomplishments he honestly has to be considered an A+ prospect at this point, no?

Yeah the accolades are piling up. He's definitely a blue chip A+ prospect at this point. You don't win best damn in this tourney twice by fluke. There's definitely some flukey one off wins when the right guys have gotten hot, but to go back to back and be looking like you're going to break the junior scoring record in the shl for dmen, and likely win best damn in that league as well?

Yeah, he might be the best D not in the NHL right now

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

Very good offensive defenseman, but I think he'll have some defensive struggles in NHL.

Thankfully, Detroit can put him on a pairing with Edvinsson. Pretty much the perfect defense partner for a small-ish, slow-ish offensive defenseman.

 

[Hallonbroder]

I feel that’s he’s perfect for SHL/international play, but having a hard time transferring his play to the NHL. Kind of like a Magnus Johansson-type of player

 

[dekelikekocur]

I feel that’s he’s perfect for SHL/international play, but having a hard time transferring his play to the NHL. Kind of like a Magnus Johansson-type of player

And exactly what would make you think this?

There's no indication he'll struggle, kid has adapted to every level he plays and does so fairly quickly.

 

[Hallonbroder]

And exactly what would make you think this?

There's no indication he'll struggle, kid has adapted to every level he plays and does so fairly quickly.

From watching him play in the SHL and internationally. How about you?

 

[dekelikekocur]

From watching him play in the SHL and internationally. How about you?

So you're saying you have no real clue then and just pulling shit out of your ass.

 

[Pavels Dog]

And before that he was best d-man at the U-18.
If he continues his play my guess is he also wins SHL d-man of the year after winning the Salming trophy (for the swedish d-man of the year) last season...and oh, he's still only 19 .
With this list of accomplishments he honestly has to be considered an A+ prospect at this point, no?

Best prospect outside the NHL right now, but some people might value guys with a higher floor a bit more.

 

[Hallonbroder]

So you're saying you have no real clue then and just pulling shit out of your ass.

….no?