Prospect Info: 17OA: Axel Sandin Pellikka

[Hughes Hefner]

For sure, definitely closer to ghost than makar, but honestly a modern day rafalski sounds about right. And I for one would love today's rafalski on this team. Side note, the vintage raf went undrafted and spent years in Europe, so I can happily wait.

The player comparable I see for ASP is a Brandon Montour. If he can become that I would be tickled pink...

 

[Snuggs]

The player comparable I see for ASP is a Brandon Montour. If he can become that I would be tickled pink...

Montour is very fair and one of the better comparisons imo for what the kid could be. Rafalski is super hype like the absolute best-case scenario, and I just hate how fans almost instantly put that vaulted expectation up for his career. Really, he's supposed to be borderline hall of famer? Hasn't even played north American hockey yet...

 

[Gniwder]

Montour is very fair and one of the better comparisons imo for what the kid could be. Rafalski is super hype like the absolute best-case scenario, and I just hate how fans almost instantly put that vaulted expectation up for his career. Really, he's supposed to be borderline hall of famer? Hasn't even played north American hockey yet...

You're bothered by Rafalski, but not Makar? OK, lol.

 

[Oddbob]

The player comparable I see for ASP is a Brandon Montour. If he can become that I would be tickled pink...

What is so good about Montour? One outlier crazy stat season and the rest are kind of meh. Normally a 30 ish pt defender who isn't great in his own end.

		Scoring			Goals	Assists	Shots
Season	Age	Tm	Lg	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM	EV	PPG	SHG	GWG	EV	PP	SH	SOG	SPCT	TSA	TOI	ATOI	FOW	FOL	FO%	BLK	HIT	TK	GV	Awards
2016-17	22	ANA	NHL	27	2	4	6	11	14	2	0	0	0	3	1	0	50	4.0	111	469	17:23	0	0		24	21	3	17
2017-18	23	ANA	NHL	80	9	23	32	16	42	3	5	1	5	15	7	1	160	5.6	327	1638	20:28	0	0		83	96	20	51
2018-19	24	TOT	NHL	82	8	27	35	-20	56	7	1	0	2	22	5	0	181	4.4		1841	22:27	0	0		121	99	31	74
2018-19	24	ANA	NHL	62	5	20	25	-16	40	5	0	0	2	17	3	0	126	4.0	266	1405	22:40	0	0		93	67	27	60
2018-19	24	BUF	NHL	20	3	7	10	-4	16	2	1	0	0	5	2	0	55	5.5	96	435	21:46	0	0		28	32	4	14
2019-20	25	BUF	NHL	54	5	13	18	13	28	5	0	0	0	11	2	0	86	5.8	153	1053	19:30	0	0		53	60	12	27
2020-21	26	TOT	NHL	50	7	11	18	-5	40	5	0	2	0	10	1	0	94	7.4		1024	20:29	0	0		62	54	15	22
2020-21	26	BUF	NHL	38	5	9	14	-13	24	3	0	2	0	8	1	0	72	6.9	129	780	20:32	0	0		53	35	8	10
2020-21	26	FLA	NHL	12	2	2	4	8	16	2	0	0	0	2	0	0	22	9.1	44	244	20:19	0	0		9	19	7	12
2021-22	27	FLA	NHL	81	11	26	37	15	48	10	1	0	1	19	7	0	153	7.2	298	1450	17:54	0	0		65	64	26	49
2022-23	28	FLA	NHL	80	16	57	73	9	107	13	3	0	5	27	30	0	242	6.6	459	1930	24:08	0	0		93	92	33	52	AS-12,Norris-12
2023-24	29	FLA	NHL	62	7	25	32	-3	44	6	1	0	3	9	16	0	158	4.4	394	1445	23:19	0	0		65	97	16	38
4 yrs		FLA	NHL	235	36	110	146	29	215	31	5	0	9	57	53	0	575	6.3	1195	5069	21:34	0	0		232	272	82	151
3 yrs		ANA	NHL	169	16	47	63	11	96	10	5	1	7	35	11	1	336	4.8	704	3512	20:47	0	0		200	184	50	128
3 yrs		BUF	NHL	112	13	29	42	-4	68	10	1	2	0	24	5	0	213	6.1	378	2269	20:15	0	0		134	127	24	51
Career		8 yrs	NHL	516	65	186	251	36	379	51	11	3	16	116	69	1	1124	5.8	2277	10850	21:02	0	0		566	583	156	330

If he only turns into this 4-6 years from now, we will be past Larkin's prime and well into Seider's prime and be closing in on needing a rebuild/retool again. May be a fair comparison, but it certainly isn't that exciting being as he is one of our better prospects.

 

[Snuggs]

You're bothered by Rafalski, but not Makar? OK, lol.

I didn't see the Makar comparison I was just piggy backing off the last couple comments but... yeah both are a bit extreme right now.

 

[Frk It]

What is so good about Montour? One outlier crazy stat season and the rest are kind of meh. Normally a 30 ish pt defender who isn't great in his own end.

		Scoring			Goals	Assists	Shots
Season	Age	Tm	Lg	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM	EV	PPG	SHG	GWG	EV	PP	SH	SOG	SPCT	TSA	TOI	ATOI	FOW	FOL	FO%	BLK	HIT	TK	GV	Awards
2016-17	22	ANA	NHL	27	2	4	6	11	14	2	0	0	0	3	1	0	50	4.0	111	469	17:23	0	0		24	21	3	17
2017-18	23	ANA	NHL	80	9	23	32	16	42	3	5	1	5	15	7	1	160	5.6	327	1638	20:28	0	0		83	96	20	51
2018-19	24	TOT	NHL	82	8	27	35	-20	56	7	1	0	2	22	5	0	181	4.4		1841	22:27	0	0		121	99	31	74
2018-19	24	ANA	NHL	62	5	20	25	-16	40	5	0	0	2	17	3	0	126	4.0	266	1405	22:40	0	0		93	67	27	60
2018-19	24	BUF	NHL	20	3	7	10	-4	16	2	1	0	0	5	2	0	55	5.5	96	435	21:46	0	0		28	32	4	14
2019-20	25	BUF	NHL	54	5	13	18	13	28	5	0	0	0	11	2	0	86	5.8	153	1053	19:30	0	0		53	60	12	27
2020-21	26	TOT	NHL	50	7	11	18	-5	40	5	0	2	0	10	1	0	94	7.4		1024	20:29	0	0		62	54	15	22
2020-21	26	BUF	NHL	38	5	9	14	-13	24	3	0	2	0	8	1	0	72	6.9	129	780	20:32	0	0		53	35	8	10
2020-21	26	FLA	NHL	12	2	2	4	8	16	2	0	0	0	2	0	0	22	9.1	44	244	20:19	0	0		9	19	7	12
2021-22	27	FLA	NHL	81	11	26	37	15	48	10	1	0	1	19	7	0	153	7.2	298	1450	17:54	0	0		65	64	26	49
2022-23	28	FLA	NHL	80	16	57	73	9	107	13	3	0	5	27	30	0	242	6.6	459	1930	24:08	0	0		93	92	33	52	AS-12,Norris-12
2023-24	29	FLA	NHL	62	7	25	32	-3	44	6	1	0	3	9	16	0	158	4.4	394	1445	23:19	0	0		65	97	16	38
4 yrs		FLA	NHL	235	36	110	146	29	215	31	5	0	9	57	53	0	575	6.3	1195	5069	21:34	0	0		232	272	82	151
3 yrs		ANA	NHL	169	16	47	63	11	96	10	5	1	7	35	11	1	336	4.8	704	3512	20:47	0	0		200	184	50	128
3 yrs		BUF	NHL	112	13	29	42	-4	68	10	1	2	0	24	5	0	213	6.1	378	2269	20:15	0	0		134	127	24	51
Career		8 yrs	NHL	516	65	186	251	36	379	51	11	3	16	116	69	1	1124	5.8	2277	10850	21:02	0	0		566	583	156	330

If he only turns into this 4-6 years from now, we will be past Larkin's prime and well into Seider's prime and be closing in on needing a rebuild/retool again. May be a fair comparison, but it certainly isn't that exciting being as he is one of our better prospects.

You should tell Florida's coaches he is not good in his end, because they put him out there a ton and have had a lot of success along the way.

That said, I am not really sure Montour is the best comp for him. I have always liked Sami Vatanen as a comp for ASP.

 

[Gniwder]

I didn't see the Makar comparison I was just piggy backing off the last couple comments but... yeah both are a bit extreme right now.

Makar and Karlsson were both mentioned, I don't see ASP's skating anywhere close to that level.

I'll settle for Ghost with better D. If he exceeds that, then great.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Makar and Karlsson were both mentioned, I don't see ASP's skating anywhere close to that level.

I'll settle for Ghost with better D. If he exceeds that, then great.

This was written about Karlsson when he was ASP's age:

Though he has good speed (not overly outstanding, but smooth and strong)

Pretty much exactly how one could describe ASP.

It's all about making progress. If ASP can get a bit more explosive and add some top speed he'll be up there among the best skating d-men. Those are things that aren't guaranteed, but also aren't unrealistic for a player as they get stronger.

 

[wingerdinger]

How about Adam Fox

 

[heyfolks]

For sure, definitely closer to ghost than makar, but honestly a modern day rafalski sounds about right. And I for one would love today's rafalski on this team. Side note, the vintage raf went undrafted and spent years in Europe, so I can happily wait.

We agree. I didn't see ASP overwhelming anyone at Juniors with speed, skating or strength. No doubt a top end talent within the tournament but the praise heaped upon him exceeded what I saw.

Red Wings prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka is having a 'wow' season

Sandin Pellikka, the Red Wings' No. 17 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, is a returnee at the world juniors at age 18.

theathletic.com

Given his size and strength his offensive skill set would have to be off the charts for a top line pairing. While I hope that gushing Athletic article is who he becomes, I'd be happy with a 2nd or 3rd pairing offensive d'man with insane PP1 skills.

 

[HisNoodliness]

How about Adam Fox

Honestly, ASP is better than Fox was at this age. I think it's a really good comparable though. They're both evasive skaters without high end speed, and that's something to fear in a below average but not tiny frame. I feel like ASP gets by more on his puck skills and shot whereas Fox is just too smart. I think Fox is a good "best case scenario" comparable.

 

[Cake Eater]

The NHL isn't a developmental league, it's a league for the best players on Earth. Some players are in that category while still developing, some need to develop more to be in that category. But it doesn't serve players who aren't ready to be in that league.

What does this even mean? What is a developmental league? A league where players develop? Players develop in the NHL, the stats bear that out.

 

[Cake Eater]

ASP

Floor - Ghost
Ceiling - Makar

His ceiling isn't Makar, he doesn't have the skating ability or really anywhere close (generationally elite), and that's not something you can develop.

 

[RRhoads]

 

[jkutswings]

I see a shifty defenseman with good puck skills who just needs to continue developing and getting stronger. It'll be interesting to see what he looks like in another couple of years.

 

[19 for president]

Makar and Karlsson were both mentioned, I don't see ASP's skating anywhere close to that level.

I'll settle for Ghost with better D. If he exceeds that, then great.

I'd be happy for Ghost without the turnovers honestly. The passes up the middle to the other team kill me. But honestly if he ends up as a Ghost with average defense that is a really good dman to have on a team.

 

[Ezekial]

What does this even mean? What is a developmental league? A league where players develop? Players develop in the NHL, the stats bear that out.

It means if you aren't good enough to play in the league with any success then you won't get much better while playing in it.

Acting like I said players plateau the moment they come to the NHL is obtuse af.

 

[Henkka]

What does this even mean? What is a developmental league? A league where players develop? Players develop in the NHL, the stats bear that out.

Developmental league is the RIGHT LEVEL to be at key positions with high ice-time to DEVELOP.

At league with too hard competition vs your age/physics, coaches will start to limit your ice-time, so you develop less. Also tough to play in league when it's over your head. It could limit your development too.

 

[lilidk]

Makar and Karlsson were both mentioned, I don't see ASP's skating anywhere close to that level.

I'll settle for Ghost with better D. If he exceeds that, then great.

ASP is Gost with better hands and brains

 

[heyfolks]

His ceiling isn't Makar, he doesn't have the skating ability or really anywhere close (generationally elite), and that's not something you can develop.

Like you, i am not a hockey scout. What I am is an amateur tattoo artist and semi professional race car driver who analyzes hockey over a neat bourbon and then passes on this insight to others, most who have the same, yet unique, qualifications.

The examples below show his skating and skills. Below are both players stats. ASP is 6 years younger but his numbers up to 19 are pretty good. Had he not been injured this year one could argue (same age stats) he had a better year than Makar, in a far tougher league.

Cale Makar Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Cale Makar, a hockey player from Calgary, ALTA born Oct 30 1998 who was active from 2014 to 2024.

www.hockeydb.com

Axel Sandin-Pellikka - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Axel Sandin-Pellikka, 2005-03-11 Gällivare, SWE Sweden. Most recently in the undefined with Skellefteå AIK. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

 

[Gniwder]

What I am is an amateur tattoo artist

Do you have a Priority tat yet?

 

[Detroit Knights]

That's a rather wide range considering Ghost can't defend and Makar is generational talent with elite skating. While I believe ASP's skating will improve, it'll never reach Makar level. That kind of speed shows well before draft age, like with McDavid, Makar, or Larkin aka Helm with hands.

ah so walman - makar range

 

[Detroit Knights]

I like his edgework when he get's in a bind.

 

[jaster]

What does this even mean? What is a developmental league? A league where players develop? Players develop in the NHL, the stats bear that out.

It's not a development league in the traditional sense of the term. Players do not develop from being not-NHL-caliber to NHL-caliber in the NHL. They adjust, yes. They improve, yes. But it's a high bar for entry, and players must have most of their shit together before they can step on the ice and find success. As opposed to lower leagues, where many players are not necessarily expected to be ready for that league when they arrive, but where there are mechanisms and systems in place to bring those players along and let them develop their game without being put in the pressbox every night. They get a lot more focused treatment from coaches in actual development leagues.

The NHL is not considered a development league, and any hockey person around pro hockey will tell you that. To be on an NHL roster, you have to be good enough to contribute. You are expected to have all the critical things in your game already in order. NHL teams don't spend the time or resources to develop a player on the fly.

Many people would probably be surprised at how little one-on-one coaching happens with rookies at the NHL level. There is some, of course, but NHL teams don't mess around. There are very high expectations for young players and when kids require unexpected additional time from the coaching staff, that's when they get sent back down to the minors.

 

[Gniwder]

ah so walman - makar range

Walman actually has pretty good top speed, I doesn't look to me like ASP is that fast from what I've seen. Plus Walman has an epic slapper (hilarious backswing) combined with elite cely. His weakness is board battles, and relying too much on his skating to make up for poor gap control. If ASP is to succeed, he'll have to play a smarter game than Walman.