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The post Red Wings Player Already Pondering Return to Sweden appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.
Yes, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka admits, he does dream of the day he’ll once again be back playing in his native Sweden.
Relax, Red Wings fans. This dream is one built around a far-off future.
“Hopefully in 15 years, it will of course be tempting to come home, and Skellefteå AIK would be the best option,” Sandin-Pellikka told Swedish website Norran.
Sandin-Pellikka watched from afar as his old SHL club won its second title in three seasons. He was part of Skellefteå’s 2024 win and admitted to a sense of envy watching some of his old teammates again lift a championship trophy this spring.
“I was sitting in a hotel room during the AHL playoffs in Grand Rapids and watched,” Sandin-Pellikka said. “There were big dimples and many congratulations that I sent away.
“You got a little ‘fomo’ (fear of missing out). But it was fun to watch too.
“It’s so fun to win, and I’ve been in a winning team before. I know how hard it is. It’s a very fun ride when you can go all the way.”
Spending the first 68 games of his initial North American pro season with the Red Wings, Sandin-Pellikka found himself shuffling off to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins late in the season. His ice time basically evaporated at the NHL level when the Red Wings were adding veteran rearguard Justin Faulk at the trade deadline.
The 21-year-old Sandin-Pellikka displayed an anticipated knack for offense. He was good for seven goals and 21 points. However, the defensive shortcomings in his game were also on display. He was often physically overmatched. ASP was saddled with a team-worst minus-20 rating when he was sent to the Griffins.
He took the demotion in stride.
“Just developing as a player,” Sandin-Pellikka said. “It never hurts to get more games over here and just work on defense, work on offense. Play to the best of my abilities and just get better as a hockey player.”
With the offseason addition of Jacob Bryson from the Buffalo Sabres, coupled with the fact that William Wallinder must clear NHL waivers to return to the minor leagues, Detroit is basically going to go to training camp with nine NHL defensemen under contract.
It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Sandin-Pellikka, who doesn’t have to clear waivers to go down, might find himself beginning the 2026-27 season back with the Griffins.
If that’s the case, he already is drawing up a game plan.
“I think it’s just play with intensity,” Sandin-Pellikka said. “Yeah. Offense, defense, everywhere. Really just go out there, play my game, get better, get more experience.”
As for his homeland, sure, he’d like to play there again.
Someday. But not someday soon.
The post Red Wings Player Already Pondering Return to Sweden appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.
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Yes, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka admits, he does dream of the day he’ll once again be back playing in his native Sweden.
Relax, Red Wings fans. This dream is one built around a far-off future.
“Hopefully in 15 years, it will of course be tempting to come home, and Skellefteå AIK would be the best option,” Sandin-Pellikka told Swedish website Norran.
Sandin-Pellikka watched from afar as his old SHL club won its second title in three seasons. He was part of Skellefteå’s 2024 win and admitted to a sense of envy watching some of his old teammates again lift a championship trophy this spring.
“I was sitting in a hotel room during the AHL playoffs in Grand Rapids and watched,” Sandin-Pellikka said. “There were big dimples and many congratulations that I sent away.
“You got a little ‘fomo’ (fear of missing out). But it was fun to watch too.
“It’s so fun to win, and I’ve been in a winning team before. I know how hard it is. It’s a very fun ride when you can go all the way.”
Red Wings ASP Finished Season With Griffins
Spending the first 68 games of his initial North American pro season with the Red Wings, Sandin-Pellikka found himself shuffling off to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins late in the season. His ice time basically evaporated at the NHL level when the Red Wings were adding veteran rearguard Justin Faulk at the trade deadline.
The 21-year-old Sandin-Pellikka displayed an anticipated knack for offense. He was good for seven goals and 21 points. However, the defensive shortcomings in his game were also on display. He was often physically overmatched. ASP was saddled with a team-worst minus-20 rating when he was sent to the Griffins.
He took the demotion in stride.
“Just developing as a player,” Sandin-Pellikka said. “It never hurts to get more games over here and just work on defense, work on offense. Play to the best of my abilities and just get better as a hockey player.”
With the offseason addition of Jacob Bryson from the Buffalo Sabres, coupled with the fact that William Wallinder must clear NHL waivers to return to the minor leagues, Detroit is basically going to go to training camp with nine NHL defensemen under contract.
It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Sandin-Pellikka, who doesn’t have to clear waivers to go down, might find himself beginning the 2026-27 season back with the Griffins.
If that’s the case, he already is drawing up a game plan.
“I think it’s just play with intensity,” Sandin-Pellikka said. “Yeah. Offense, defense, everywhere. Really just go out there, play my game, get better, get more experience.”
As for his homeland, sure, he’d like to play there again.
Someday. But not someday soon.
The post Red Wings Player Already Pondering Return to Sweden appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.
Continue reading...
