Jeremy Laura: Should Detroit reconsider Axel Sandin-Pellikka’s upcoming season?

General advantages to AHL: earlier adjustment to NA rink/rulebook/style of play, possibility of being called up to the NHL if desired

General advantages to SHL: higher caliber of play/quality of competition

Other factors that might be in play, off the top of my head:

- Team context: Stepping into first-pair D role on a familiar, veteran, championship roster (SHL) vs starting over as a new guy on a young team (AHL).

- Player preference/comfort: ASP is 19. That's a very young age to ask someone to move overseas, away from their family and home. Another year in Sweden might be best for his emotional development/maturity.

- Professional relationships: Detroit drafts a lot of players out of the SHL; while it's ultimately up to the player to decide whether or not to move to NA (and the Euro teams get paid regardless), maintaining good professional relationships with the SHL/individual teams can be beneficial.

From long-term player career development standpoint I don't think either of the AHL or SHL is inherently superior. I think it comes down to the specific needs of specific players, which may include factors that we as fans don't get insight into.

For selfish reasons I'd love to be able to go to some Griffins games to watch ASP play. But if the goal is to develop a solid NHL player with a targeted rookie season of 2024-25 and the team/player are mutually on the same page, I don't think it matters whether ASP spends next season in Sweden or GR.

When he's in the SHL, he's being coached to do what's best for his SHL team, not his long-term development. They know he'll be gone in a year or two, and their job is not to develop him into an NHL system. In GR, the Wings control his development. He works on things he needs to work on, he's being developed to play within a certain system with certain players. He's getting used to a smaller surface, a more physical game and much, much higher expectations.

I'm not opposed to him staying another year in the SHL if he needs to physically develop and mature, but if it's for any reason other than those, he's better off in GR from a development standpoint.

Love both replies. What I like about SHL is the ability to put on some weight and get reps. AHL is that intro to less time and space. Next Olympics will be interesting. They’re switching to North American rink size. Those 15 feet let you spread out a defender especially on a cycle.

Love both replies. What I like about SHL is the ability to put on some weight and get reps. AHL is that intro to less time and space. Next Olympics will be interesting. They’re switching to North American rink size. Those 15 feet let you spread out a defender especially on a cycle.
- Jeremy Laura

I wish the NHL would have adopted a rule years ago that all new arenas had to be configurable for Olympic sized surfaces. Eventually they could have transitioned to the larger surface, and I personally think the NHL game would greatly benefit. These players are so big and so fast, that having more space to work with would make the game much more exciting.

I wish the NHL would have adopted a rule years ago that all new arenas had to be configurable for Olympic sized surfaces. Eventually they could have transitioned to the larger surface, and I personally think the NHL game would greatly benefit. These players are so big and so fast, that having more space to work with would make the game much more exciting.
- bluelineenforcer

It’s such a massive difference. There are parts of it I really enjoy. Power plays are a lot harder to defend with that much space on the half wall. It will take the players pushing for that change. Owners/GMs want it faster/physical and I think it was Bettman who said decades ago “we sell violence”. I wouldn’t mind splitting the difference. Add 5 to 7 feet. That’s a stick length and could change things a bit.

Selfishly I'd love to see them hurry the process and have him in North America this year but I don't believe there should be any urgency from the team. Defencemen typically take longer to develop and in this case I believe he still needs to mature physically. Another year with a big role in the SHL can only pay off down the road. If all goes well I believe he is the PP QB of the future and this team will not be contending for the Cup in the next couple of years anyways. Playoffs hopefully but not legitimate threats until this younger wave in the pipeline matures.

General advantages to AHL: earlier adjustment to NA rink/rulebook/style of play, possibility of being called up to the NHL if desired

General advantages to SHL: higher caliber of play/quality of competition

Other factors that might be in play, off the top of my head:

- Team context: Stepping into first-pair D role on a familiar, veteran, championship roster (SHL) vs starting over as a new guy on a young team (AHL).

- Player preference/comfort: ASP is 19. That's a very young age to ask someone to move overseas, away from their family and home. Another year in Sweden might be best for his emotional development/maturity.

- Professional relationships: Detroit drafts a lot of players out of the SHL; while it's ultimately up to the player to decide whether or not to move to NA (and the Euro teams get paid regardless), maintaining good professional relationships with the SHL/individual teams can be beneficial.

From long-term player career development standpoint I don't think either of the AHL or SHL is inherently superior. I think it comes down to the specific needs of specific players, which may include factors that we as fans don't get insight into.

For selfish reasons I'd love to be able to go to some Griffins games to watch ASP play. But if the goal is to develop a solid NHL player with a targeted rookie season of 2024-25 and the team/player are mutually on the same page, I don't think it matters whether ASP spends next season in Sweden or GR.
- Sven22

A lot of valid points here that help demonstrate there are always pros and cons to these types of decisions. Team management is always considering many more factors than we are as fans.

Selfishly I'd love to see them hurry the process and have him in North America this year but I don't believe there should be any urgency from the team. Defencemen typically take longer to develop and in this case I believe he still needs to mature physically. Another year with a big role in the SHL can only pay off down the road. If all goes well I believe he is the PP QB of the future and this team will not be contending for the Cup in the next couple of years anyways. Playoffs hopefully but not legitimate threats until this younger wave in the pipeline matures.
- Diller

It sounds like that could be the case. I think because of what VAN has ready to role and where they have to make cuts it would make a case to bring him over.

Hronek has signed $7.25M x 8 years. Many here said this was crazy. Tried explaining that this is the going rate for guy who is only 26, plays big minutes, plays the right side, and just put up 48 points. The ask would be $8M and he likely signs for $7M-something.

$7.25M today is equivalent to a $5M d-man 4 or 5 years ago. Will soon be very normal to have multiple guys making $10M+ and multiple others in the $7M+ range.

Hronek has signed $7.25M x 8 years. Many here said this was crazy. Tried explaining that this is the going rate for guy who is only 26, plays big minutes, plays the right side, and just put up 48 points. The ask would be $8M and he likely signs for $7M-something.

$7.25M today is equivalent to a $5M d-man 4 or 5 years ago. Will soon be very normal to have multiple guys making $10M+ and multiple others in the $7M+ range.
- Cooleus

That is absolutely the going rate. His qualifier was near 6 and he performed. I think these guys will look back and thank McDavid/Matthews/Nylander and thank them for that 2nd deal. GMs used to hold them hostage. Thank you for dropping that in and your insight is dead on. That is very good to hear and probably sets the bar for a couple of other negotiations. Well done, C.

When he's in the SHL, he's being coached to do what's best for his SHL team, not his long-term development. They know he'll be gone in a year or two, and their job is not to develop him into an NHL system. In GR, the Wings control his development. He works on things he needs to work on, he's being developed to play within a certain system with certain players. He's getting used to a smaller surface, a more physical game and much, much higher expectations.

I'm not opposed to him staying another year in the SHL if he needs to physically develop and mature, but if it's for any reason other than those, he's better off in GR from a development standpoint.

bluelineenforcer

I think NHL teams have a say on how a prospect is handled even in Europe. It's in the best interest of both parties to work together to improve the prospects game. For the SHL team it is to have the player be even better and keep him longer or else the team can simply pull him out and the SHL team loses that player sooner.

Like most, i would like to see him come over but like Sven said, the kid is 19 years old and not every kid that age is ready to move across the ocean and live on his own in a new country and culture far away from family and friends at the same age. If he and/or the team feel he needs another year in the SHL then you have to trust that this is what is best for that player/person at this time.

I think NHL teams have a say on how a prospect is handled even in Europe. It's in the best interest of both parties to work together to improve the prospects game. For the SHL team it is to have the player be even better and keep him longer or else the team can simply pull him out and the SHL team loses that player sooner.

Like most, i would like to see him come over but like Sven said, the kid is 19 years old and not every kid that age is ready to move across the ocean and live on his own in a new country and culture far away from family and friends at the same age. If he and/or the team feel he needs another year in the SHL then you have to trust that this is what is best for that player/person at this time.
- dcz28

I can attest that Jiri Fischer changed the prospect handling. I met him and he was very gracious with his time a few years back. After his heart, he did a lot to change nutrition at camps, but he also does personal calls to players all through the year. He talks to the coaches. I don’t know how much weight that carries, but there is at least back and forth about what the organization would like to see developed. Cooleus and a few others may know this much more accurately. At one point there was a monetary incentive when teams would transfer the player from the Euro team to North America. I don’t know the amount but there was some sort of “bonus”. I’ve heard that jr. Teams are incentivized but I can’t speak to it personally. There is still a desire for those teams to have internal success but having a solid relationship and an alumni roster in the NHL carries some weight for sure.

I can attest that Jiri Fischer changed the prospect handling. I met him and he was very gracious with his time a few years back. After his heart, he did a lot to change nutrition at camps, but he also does personal calls to players all through the year. He talks to the coaches. I don’t know how much weight that carries, but there is at least back and forth about what the organization would like to see developed. Cooleus and a few others may know this much more accurately. At one point there was a monetary incentive when teams would transfer the player from the Euro team to North America. I don’t know the amount but there was some sort of “bonus”. I’ve heard that jr. Teams are incentivized but I can’t speak to it personally. There is still a desire for those teams to have internal success but having a solid relationship and an alumni roster in the NHL carries some weight for sure.
- Jeremy Laura

Yeah the Wings seem to have a lot of communications with teams of their prospects. I remember reading about that when Seider was over there and they would have people talking to the team and even sending guys like Kronwall or Lidstrom to watch them play and chat with them. Wings have plenty of former players that live in Sweden so it's not hard for them to check in on players from time to time.

At one point there was a monetary incentive when teams would transfer the player from the Euro team to North America.
- Jeremy Laura

I believe the fee is paid when a player signs his NHL contract, not when he comes over to North America.

Some basic details about the NHL - Sweden transfer agreement as I understand it:

- Swedish teams get compensated by NHL teams when their players get drafted ($35k for first round picks, $20k for other picks).

- NHL teams also pay a flat $381k transfer fee if and when an SHL-drafted player signs an NHL contract. ASP signed his entry level deal in May, so this has already been paid regardless of where he plays next year.

- Since 2022, players drafted out of Sweden in the second round or later must be 24 years old before they can be assigned to the AHL, unless their Sweden team grants permission. (Players drafted 2021 or earlier only need to be 22.) This does not apply to ASP since he was a first-round pick.

I believe the fee is paid when a player signs his NHL contract, not when he comes over to North America.

Some basic details about the NHL - Sweden transfer agreement as I understand it:

- Swedish teams get compensated by NHL teams when their players get drafted ($35k for first round picks, $20k for other picks).

- NHL teams also pay a flat $381k transfer fee if and when an SHL-drafted player signs an NHL contract. ASP signed his entry level deal in May, so this has already been paid regardless of where he plays next year.

- Since 2022, players drafted out of Sweden in the second round or later must be 24 years old before they can be assigned to the AHL, unless their Sweden team grants permission. (Players drafted 2021 or earlier only need to be 22.) This does not apply to ASP since he was a first-round pick.
- Sven22

Well laid out. I intended it as a prospect going to their team but wasn’t specific. Love the break down.

With Calgary moving out Markstrom I say we go in on Rasmus Andersson. Ownership clearly wants a rebuild timed with the new arena, obliged to help them out with that and hey they like collecting 3rd pair dmen as part of trades...perfect.