It’s all but official now that Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, Axel Sandin Pellikka, and Emmitt Finne will be starting the 2025-26 NHL season on the roster of the Detroit Red Wings.

Red Wings coach Todd McLellan wasn’t prepared to make any guarantees. He was choosing to let actions speak louder than words.

“Well, they were here at practice today, so that’s a real good sign for them,” McLellan said of the kids. “You know, we skated with 23 players. Obviously, we’re allowed to submit our opening roster with as many as 23, so that’s obviously a real good sign for them.

“Everything they’ve done to this point has led to them getting this day, and we’ll just take it day by day.”

UPDATE: The #RedWings have reduced their roster to 23.

📰 » https://t.co/GBjjZtSN2h pic.twitter.com/3Hm5p4Kfmb

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 6, 2025

Word arrived at 2 pm ET that defensemen Justin Holl and Erik Gustafsson had cleared NHL waivers. Holl was later assigned to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.

Gustafsson remains in Detroit. Left-winger James van Riemsdyk was placed on the non-roster list to get down to the allowable maximum of 23 players.

Emotional Day For Red Wings

While the Detroit fanbase is jumping for joy over these developments, inside the team’s dressing room, there are mixed emotions.

To fans, Holl and Gustafsson were underachievers.

Are the Red Wings better off with Brandsegg-Nygard, Sandin Pellikka, and Finnie in the lineup?

You bet they are.

3 days. pic.twitter.com/4Dc9HTw37m

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 6, 2025

Still, within the ranks of the team, Holl and Gustafsson are also known as family men, friends. Every veteran player on the team is hurting for them because they know that one day, that call will be coming for them.

“We lost two great locker room guys, and I know Gus and Hollsy will be missed,” Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin said.

At the same time, Larkin is here to win, and he knows those chances improve with the insertion of these three talented youngsters.

“They all have great attributes, whether it’s Finnie’s speed and smarts,” Larkin said. “Ny’s got good speed as well, but he’s heavier and he’s got a great shot and he puts himself in positions to score. And Axel with his puck play and his skating.

“I think they make our team better. I’m happy for those guys. Well deserved that they’re here today.”