Red Wings sign Sandin-Pellikka to entry-level contract

Sandin-Pellikka was selected by the Red Wings 17th overall at the 2023 NHL Draft.

The 19-year-old is coming off an exceptional season in the Swedish Elite League. With scoring a career-high 18 points in 39 games, Sandin-Pellikka helped Skellefteå AIK win the SHL Championship, registering seven points in 14 playoff games. He also earned the Salming Trophy as the league’s best defenseman.

Sandin-Pellikka also appeared with Skellefteå in the team’s run to the Champions Hockey League Final, losing to Switzerland squad Geneve-Servette HC. The Gällivare native scored five points in 10 games during the season.

Sandin-Pellikka is also a decorated player on the in the international stage. He won the silver at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, 2023 IIHF Men’s Under-18 World Championship and 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, and was named the best defenseman at the U-18s and World Juniors.

Sandin-Pellikka is part of a plethora of blueliners out of Sweden taken by Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman. Prospects include Simon Edvinsson, Albert Johansson, and William Wallinder, all three of whom are currently playing with Detroit’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, during the Calder Cup Playoffs.

According to Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis, the Swedish blueliner has an offensive touch that is among the best among young blueliners. However, his defensive game was a question mark heading into last year’s draft.

As a result, the Red Wings have 31 standard player contracts signed for the 2024-25 season. Per CapFriendly, Detroit has a little over $29 million in cap space for next year.