He’s nearing the 40% mark of his first NHL season, and Detroit Red Wings rookie defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka is beginning to flex his offensive muscles.

Sandin Pellikka has points in six of Detroit’s past eight games. That stretch includes the first multi-point game of his NHL career, and arguably the most clever goal scored this season by a Red Wings player.

Moving in with the puck from the point along the right wing, Sandin Pellikka drove to the net. Upon arrival at the doorstep, he flipped the puck over the shoulder of New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin.

OK, ASP 🙌

Axel Sandin-Pellikka’s 3rd period goal is last night’s @xfinity game-changing moment! pic.twitter.com/0umnk4Ycj9

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 17, 2025

It was a display of ASP’s raw talent. It was an offering of the high rate of hockey IQ that resides within his brain.

“It’s a little instinct there,” Sandin Pellikka said. “I got some time there along the wall. I think he was cheating a little, and bit for the back door tap-in.

“So I saw a little spot there to put in, and luckily it went in.”

Red Wings Rookie Is Growing Steadily

At the outset of the season, no less a source than legendary Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom offered the opinion that Sandin Pellikka was able to think the game better than any rearguard on the Detroit roster.

As his comfort level grows in the NHL game, Sandin Pellikka’s hockey smarts are beginning to bubble to the surface with more regularity.

“Some of it’s time,” Red Wings coach Todd McLellan said. “He’s now spent enough time to understand the pace of the game, the size of the players, the intensity, momentum, all those types of things.

“So he’s defending better. Usually, when you defend better, you’re not using up your gas tank, if you will, in the D zone. You have more energy to do what you do offensively, and we’ve been able to see that from him as well.”

Sandin Pellikka admits that by keeping his original focus on improving his defensive game, his offensive game is growing via osmosis.

“I want to put pride in that part of the game. I feel it’s the same as the offensive stuff,” Sandin Pellikka said. “I’m way over 30 games now. So, yeah, I’m just getting used to the game.

“Good defense builds offense, so I guess as long as you’re good back there, you’re going to have more time in the offensive zone.

“So I think that combines a little bit.”

ASP Displaying More Confidence

That growth hasn’t been linear. It never is with young players. What’s most important is that Sandin Pellikka is continuing to grow as a player.

Axel Sandin-Pellikka – Detroit Red Wings (3)
pic.twitter.com/8C9BzOM8Re

— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) December 11, 2025

“He’s been able to build up his confidence, and it’s wavered at times, even with the coaches,” McLellan said. “It’s wavered with him at times, but we’ve all stuck with it. We’ve tried not to hold him accountable but guide him through some of the rough patches and push him a little bit.

“He’s broken through a level. Now he’s got to work to that next level and do that throughout his career.”