Although some of the veteran players have disappointed Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan, the youngsters, on the other hand, have continued to make their mark.
In Tuesday’s 3–1 triumph over the Blackhawks, winger Michael Brandsegg-Nygård found the back of the net, while defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka contributed with a deftly placed assist.
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard is an elite shooter
The Norwegian forward possesses a rare sense of spatial awareness, an almost preternatural ability to anticipate both the puck’s trajectory and his teammates’ intentions. Such vision does not emerge in isolation; it is the byproduct of a tightly knit group that has cultivated cohesion throughout the offseason and into training camp.
Brandsegg-Nygård epitomizes the type of player who seamlessly translates practice habits into game situations. In the recent matchup against Chicago, he offered a vivid illustration of this quality: Sliding back into the defensive zone, delivering a deft pass to Dylan Larkin behind the net, and then drifting undetected into open ice in the slot.
Larkin, discerning the developing lane, returned the puck, and Brandsegg-Nygård finished the sequence with clinical precision. Were he a prizefighter, his defining mantra might well be, Do Not Blink.
Yet, like all emerging talents, his game remains unfinished. One facet that warrants refinement is his tendency toward stillness. On occasion, he succumbs to the allure of the unfolding play, hesitating just long enough to forfeit positional advantage. In those fleeting moments, teammates are compelled to shoulder additional burdens, covering dual responsibilities.
The correction is straightforward in theory yet difficult in execution: maintain relentless motion, thereby ensuring that positional integrity never falters. For a player of Brandsegg-Nygård’s instinctive gifts, the mastery of constant engagement could elevate his game from promising to exceptional.
Axel Sandin-Pellikka Is NHL-ready
I would strongly advocate for promoting Sandin-Pellikka to the NHL without delay. This is a player whose game is already calibrated for the highest level. Following a season that ended in disappointment for his organization, he wasted no time in regrouping; instead, he carried his momentum directly into the World Championships, where he delivered an impressive and mature performance throughout the tournament.
While another year of seasoning with the Grand Rapids Griffins in the AHL would certainly not harm his development, I do not believe it is a prerequisite. Sandin-Pellikka demonstrates an extraordinary vision from the blue line, couples it with the ability to facilitate play, and complements his offensive instincts with a willingness to block shots. His toolkit points toward the makings of one of the premier two-way defensemen of his generation.
To be sure, the risk of promoting a young defenseman too hastily is real; early struggles against NHL competition can erode confidence. Yet Sandin-Pellikka appears immune to such fragility. He is wholly immersed in the sport—living and breathing its demands—and has already shown a resilience that suggests he can weather the inevitable mistakes.
His decision-making does at times falter under an aggressive forecheck, and occasional defensive lapses are to be expected at his age. Still, the optimal method of growth for a player of his temperament may well be baptism by fire. In embracing those challenges head-on, he will not merely survive but evolve into the reliable, dynamic presence his ceiling suggests.