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

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I thought he was amazing and will be amazing. Was impressed my Czechs kept him to 1 assist in 2 games. Future is very bright. 2 to 3 years and he should be a very impactful NHL player.

The Czechs had a game plan and stuck to it. Also Hrabal was really great in those two games. Sweden didn’t really solve him.

 

[Dotter]

lol.

First off all - success in a kids tourney does not = success everywhere else.

Success in the SHL dies not = success in the NHL.

He’s small, slow, not the greatest skater, questionable decision making in the offensive zone, not a great shot, and I think he’ll have trouble on smaller ice vs men.
But hey, let’s hope I’m wrong! (not for you though)

Wow. Surprised anyone would even waste a draft pick on this bum after reading this insightful post.

 

[Carmine Cirella]

First off all - success in a kids tourney does not = success everywhere else.

Success in the SHL dies not = success in the NHL.

I'm sorry but I always find this kind of argument when discussing prospects completely pointless.
I mean, you literally can say that about any single prospect currently not in the NHL (just substitute the specific league a prospect currently plays in). According to that type of "logic" you wouldn't be able to differentiate between any prospect whatsoever.
It's also obviously incorrect or at the very least incomplete: Of course nothing "guarantees" future NHL success (I'm assuming that is what is meant by the = in the above statement). But success (and especially excelling) at other levels – especially high level mens leagues like the SHL – strongly correlate with a positive NHL outlook.
And when a player literally wins best d-man awards at every (!) level he has played in over now multiple seasons (!) before he even turns 20, I'd argue that should say something about his likelihood of succeeding in the NHL.

 

[Hallonbroder]

Wow. Surprised anyone would even waste a draft pick on this bum after reading this insightful post.

There there, you’ll be fine

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Wow. Surprised anyone would even waste a draft pick on this bum after reading this insightful post.

Why don't the Wings bring him over right now? He looks ready and you can dress 7D, use him on the PP and shelter him 5\5 and periodically pair him with Edvinnson.

 

[RedHawkDown]

Why don't the Wings bring him over right now? He looks ready and you can dress 7D, use him on the PP and shelter him 5\5 and periodically pair him with Edvinnson.

I think they want him to finish a full season of dominating the SHL. I would bet he starts on the wings this fall.

It's also not impossible that they bring him over for the playoffs if the Wings somehow squeak in.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

I think they want him to finish a full season of dominating the SHL. I would bet he starts on the wings this fall.

It's also not impossible that they bring him over for the playoffs if the Wings somehow squeak in.

He looks better than McAvoy did in 2017 when he finished at BU. You didn't bring up
Edvinsonn soon enough and cost you a PO spot IMO. Don't make same mistake twice.

I would play him over Holl, six days a week and twice on Sunday.

 

[theVladiator]

He looks better than McAvoy did in 2017 when he finished at BU. You didn't bring up
Edvinsonn soon enough and cost you a PO spot IMO. Don't make same mistake twice.

I would play him over Holl, six days a week and twice on Sunday.

One can only hope that these types of decisions are made based exclusively on what's best for his development. The only real mistake here would be to rush him unnecessarily. Wings have been patient with their prospects, and it seems to work well.

 

[newfy]

He’s small, slow, not the greatest skater, questionable decision making in the offensive zone, not a great shot, and I think he’ll have trouble on smaller ice vs men.
But hey, let’s hope I’m wrong! (not for you though)

He's definitely not slow, he's not Makar fast but his top speed is solid and his agility/ability to go 4 directions is up there with anyone. His questionable decision making in the offensive zone has him on pacez for one of the greatest seasons for a junior in Sweden ever and his shot is not only great, he's also great at getting it through which is a whole other skill in itself.

If he was small, slow, a poor skater, a poor shot and not great in the offensive zone.... what does he do well that allows him to be a potential record breaker and one of the best prospects outside of the NHL?

 

[RedHawkDown]

He's definitely not slow, he's not Makar fast but his top speed is solid and his agility/ability to go 4 directions is up there with anyone. His questionable decision making in the offensive zone has him on pacez for one of the greatest seasons for a junior in Sweden ever and his shot is not only great, he's also great at getting it through which is a whole other skill in itself.

If he was small, slow, a poor skater, a poor shot and not great in the offensive zone.... what does he do well that allows him to be a potential record breaker and one of the best prospects outside of the NHL?

The description just makes zero sense. He’s 5’11” and stocky for his size, and has had zero issues with physicality against men. Hes not slow or a poor skater by any stretch of the imagination, he’s just not a Hughes or Makar skating wise. His shot is by far one of his biggest strengths and his IQ and vision in the offensive zone is also a massive strength.

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

Why don't the Wings bring him over right now? He looks ready and you can dress 7D, use him on the PP and shelter him 5\5 and periodically pair him with Edvinnson.

Pretty sure SHL/NHL agreement doesn't allow this, and Yzerman is a child of Holland when it comes to calling up prospects before they're over-ripened.

 

[stl76]

Not sure there is a more overrated prospect in all of hockey. I’d be surprised if ASP amounts to more than a 2nd pairing PP specialist in the NHL. At the end of the day he’s an undersized offensive dman who relies heavily on his shot to generate offense.

To be fair, it’s an excellent shot and his skating is very good…but I think he tops out a lot closer to Shattenkirk/Ghostisbehere than Hughes/Makar. He just doesn’t have the IQ or poise with the puck of the tip top offensive NHL dmen IMO.

FWIW I think he’ll eventually fit in nicely in Detroit with Edvinsson - Seider pairing eating hard minutes so ASP can put up points against weaker comp.

 

[Hallonbroder]

He's definitely not slow, he's not Makar fast but his top speed is solid and his agility/ability to go 4 directions is up there with anyone. His questionable decision making in the offensive zone has him on pacez for one of the greatest seasons for a junior in Sweden ever and his shot is not only great, he's also great at getting it through which is a whole other skill in itself.

If he was small, slow, a poor skater, a poor shot and not great in the offensive zone.... what does he do well that allows him to be a potential record breaker and one of the best prospects outside of the NHL?

I hear you, but I also watched David Rundblad and Erik Karlsson, and knows that you can’t count to much on SHL success. Especially these days when it’s worse than ever.

 

[izlez]

Not sure there is a more overrated prospect in all of hockey. I’d be surprised if ASP amounts to more than a 2nd pairing PP specialist in the NHL. At the end of the day he’s an undersized offensive dman who relies heavily on his shot to generate offense.

To be fair, it’s an excellent shot and his skating is very good…but I think he tops out a lot closer to Shattenkirk/Ghostisbehere than Hughes/Makar. He just doesn’t have the IQ or poise with the puck of the tip top offensive NHL dmen IMO.

FWIW I think he’ll eventually fit in nicely in Detroit with Edvinsson - Seider pairing eating hard minutes so ASP can put up points against weaker comp.

I think all of this lines up with what the vast majority of Red Wings' fans think of him, so not sure where you're getting "most overrated" from.

 

[stl76]

I think all of this lines up with what the vast majority of Red Wings' fans think of him, so not sure where you're getting "most overrated" from.

I’ve read posts in this thread and on the main boards talking about ASP being the best prospect outside the NHL, being ready to step directly into the NHL, and challenging for Norris Trophies in the future. Maybe it’s just a loud minority, but it’s lead me to believe that the hype train has gone off the rails a bit.

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

Not sure there is a more overrated prospect in all of hockey. I’d be surprised if ASP amounts to more than a 2nd pairing PP specialist in the NHL. At the end of the day he’s an undersized offensive dman who relies heavily on his shot to generate offense.

... Well this is weird, considering most Detroit fans have pretty much penciled in his role as a PP specialist with favorable assignments due to his placement behind Mo Seider.

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

I’ve read posts in this thread and on the main boards talking about ASP being the best prospect outside the NHL, being ready to step directly into the NHL, and challenging for Norris Trophies in the future. Maybe it’s just a loud minority, but it’s lead me to believe that the hype train has gone off the rails a bit.

Since the WJCs the Top 5 prospect outside the NHL talk has definitely picked up. That's honestly pretty fair.

There's been what, maybe a carpenter's hand of people who have said best overall? I haven't seen a single person talk about Norris Trophies, but I'm sure there's one or two crazies like there is for just about every topic on a big forum.

... Not sure how that makes him overrated.

 

[Pavels Dog]

I’ve read posts in this thread and on the main boards talking about ASP being the best prospect outside the NHL, being ready to step directly into the NHL, and challenging for Norris Trophies in the future. Maybe it’s just a loud minority, but it’s lead me to believe that the hype train has gone off the rails a bit.

Can you name your top 5 prospect right now? I assume Lindstein is #1, but after that?

At the end of the day he’s an undersized offensive dman who relies heavily on his shot to generate offense.

He’s near the top of assists from d-men in the SHL despite missing time for the WJC. You are literally just criticizing him because he also has a great shot and scores goals.

 

[Oak]

Interesting take then.

I thought at times he tried to make NHL level plays which his peers weren’t ready for. Lots of tip shots intentionally shot wide. Shots that are taken for the purpose of deflecting too. Lots of passes and pucks put in high danger areas in general.

I can see why you think that though, more often than not it appeared to be just another shot attempt… though it was a puck being shot near the net for a redirection.

I have no argument on the possibility that he was shooting for tips, but there were multiple times when he was at the point in the middle and instead of moving it to the half wall to keep the play going he shot the puck into massive traffic in front of the net for a play that became a turnover.

Not the worst play but disappointing for someone so highly regarded.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

I think all of this lines up with what the vast majority of Red Wings' fans think of him, so not sure where you're getting "most overrated" from.

I am with you. I can't think of a single Wings poster who has him destined for the top pair.

 

[stl76]

Can you name your top 5 prospect right now? I assume Lindstein is #1, but after that?


He’s near the top of assists from d-men in the SHL despite missing time for the WJC. You are literally just criticizing him because he also has a great shot and scores goals.

Lol, please - Lindstein is not even my #1 prospect drafted by the Blues. Since you want to include him in the convo, I do prefer both Willander and Lindstein to ASP as prospects.

Not sure what my top 5 drafted prospects would look like TBH. I don’t really have the time to compile a fulsome list of top prospects like that. If I had to guess, ASP would be end up closer to 50 than top 5 on my hypothetical list but I don’t have an exact number in mind.

I am not criticizing him for having a good shot and scoring goals, I literally praised his shot and skating. I’ve posted my criticisms of his play before, and you have read/commented on them. Feel free to quote them here if you want to have an actual discussion, no need to put words in my mouth.

 

[Dotter]

Not sure there is a more overrated prospect in all of hockey. I’d be surprised if ASP amounts to more than a 2nd pairing PP specialist in the NHL. At the end of the day he’s an undersized offensive dman who relies heavily on his shot to generate offense.

To be fair, it’s an excellent shot and his skating is very good…but I think he tops out a lot closer to Shattenkirk/Ghostisbehere than Hughes/Makar. He just doesn’t have the IQ or poise with the puck of the tip top offensive NHL dmen IMO.

FWIW I think he’ll eventually fit in nicely in Detroit with Edvinsson - Seider pairing eating hard minutes so ASP can put up points against weaker comp.

Weird considering literally every scouting report published and video breakdown of him state he has high hockey IQ. Did you spend any time watching him play?

Why is your "scouting report" vastly different from everyone elses?

 

[stl76]

Weird considering literally every scouting report published and video breakdown of him state he has high hockey IQ. Did you spend any time watching him play?

Why is your "scouting report" vastly different from everyone elses?

I've watched him play around 20 full games.

Re-read the full sentence that you're trying to cherry pick from.

 

[Oak]

Weird considering literally every scouting report published and video breakdown of him state he has high hockey IQ. Did you spend any time watching him play?

Why is your "scouting report" vastly different from everyone elses?

I haven't watched him play this season outside of WJC. Maybe he was trying to do too much alone since he was Captain, had previous experience, and wanted to look good, but a lot of his shot selections were low IQ plays.

Overall in the dzone and on breakout he seemed like a high IQ player with good passing, he just didn't use his team enough in the O zone. If more shots went in this criticism would have probably been overlooked, but I think I heard them saying he had the most shot attempts of any D in WJC. I wonder what his scoring percentage was, bc he it definitely wasn't high compared to shots taken.

 

[Dotter]

I've watched him play around 20 full games.

Re-read the full sentence that you're trying to cherry pick from.

I don't know what "tip top offensive" means. That could mean Shayne Gostisbehere for all we know...