The Detroit Red Wings have all of the time in world for skilled young defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka. What they don’t have for him is a good fit on the opening day roster.

If Sandin-Pellikka wants to play in Detroit in October, then he must prove he belongs beyond a reasonable doubt this week.

“Anxious to see him play some games, see where he’s at,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan said.

The Red Wings hope to see a Sandin-Pellikka who plays a more confident, effective defensive game. He needs to be stronger in one-on-one defensive battles and more proficient in sorting out defensive coverage.

Where Does ASP Fit?

Today, the numbers don’t add up in his favor. Moritz Seider, Simon Edvinsson, Justin Faulk and Ben Chiarot own the top four spots. Albert Johansson isn’t going to let himself become displaced. Jacob Benard-Docker has also earned some trust.

Even if Detroit carries eight defensemen, no general manager wants an intriguing 21-year-old defenseman prospect in a No. 7 defenseman role. He wants him playing 20-plus minutes per game in the American Hockey League.

It doesn’t help Sandin-Pellikka’s cause that he is still waivers exempt, meaning he can be sent down without putting him on waivers.

“It’s hard to crack the league,” McLellan said. “It’s even harder to crack this league as a small offensive guy because he’s got to figure some things out.”

The Red Wings want Sandin-Pellikka to figure out how to master his defensive responsibilities because they respect his offensive knack. He totaled seven goals and 21 points last season. That made him the third-highest scoring defenseman on the team. He did that averaging 16 minutes per game, and there were a meaningful number of games when he played three, four or five fewer minutes.

“We’re not overly concerned at all about the offensive part,” McLellan said. “He’s got great vision, good legs going down the wall. He shoots the puck well.”

To Earn More Minutes, He Needs Improved D

The Red Wings could use his offensive spark. It would help this team to have another player who can make a slick, strategic outlet pass to a player streaking through the neutral zone. But that’s not what the Red Wings will judge him on in his preseason game. They will dissect his video clips to see how he handles himself against bigger opponents. Will his positioning be better than it was last season? They will want to see him use his stick to break up as passes as often it creates offense. That’s his path to making the team.

One plus for Sandin-Pellikka is the first impression of new interim GM Shawn Horcoff is that he wants this team to have new look. The team that battled down the stretch didn’t get it done. Again. He seems open minded about roster spots., perhaps believing more in the enthusiasm of younger players.

Even if Sandin-Pellikka is sent to Grand Rapids, he will not be a forgotten option. Horcoff was GM of that Grand Rapids team last season and he knows coach Dan Watson will help Sandin Pellikka become a more well-rounded player.

“Growth,” McLellan said. “We’ve already seen it (in ASP) and we expect more.

But growth, we’ve already seen it and we expect more.

Anxious to see him play some games, see where he’s at.