{"id":436780,"date":"2026-01-30T19:19:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T19:19:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/436780\/"},"modified":"2026-01-30T19:19:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T19:19:18","slug":"red-wings-cutting-sandin-pellikkas-ice-time-what-the-data-says-the-hockey-writers-detroit-red-wings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/436780\/","title":{"rendered":"Red Wings Cutting Sandin-Pellikka’s Ice Time & What the Data Says – The Hockey Writers – Detroit Red Wings"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you thought Detroit Red Wings defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka<\/a> has been playing less and less recently, you\u2019d be correct. The 20-year-old rookie has seen his ice time steadily decline<\/a> over the last 20 games.\u00a0<\/p>\n

I was curious about this trend and decided to dig into the numbers. Why has Sandin-Pellikka\u2019s ice time gone down lately? Here\u2019s what I found.<\/p>\n

Red Wings\u2019 Usage of Sandin-Pellikka & Results\u00a0<\/p>\n

The chart below illustrates Sandin-Pellikka\u2019s five-on-five ice time over the course of the season, plus what I consider to be the best statistic to use when measuring defensive impact \u2013 high-danger chances against per 60 (HDCA\/60). Note that the numbers below are the five-game rolling averages, not the nightly totals.<\/p>\n

\"AxelAxel Sandin-Pellikka\u2019s time on ice and high-danger chances against per 60 through the first 54 games of the Detroit Red Wings\u2019 regular season.<\/p>\n

As you can see, Sandin-Pellikka\u2019s ice time started to drop after a rough stretch around Games 28-31. Since then, his HDCA\/60 has been fine. Not stellar. Not awful. Just fine \u2013 and in line with the rest of Detroit\u2019s defense.<\/p>\n

\"RollingHigh-danger chances against per 60 have ebbed and flowed throughout the season among Detroit\u2019s defensemen.<\/p>\n

As you\u2019d expect, Sandin-Pellikka and Ben Chiarot<\/a> have similar numbers. It makes sense given the fact that the two have played over 500 minutes together at five on five this season.<\/p>\n

Related: Red Wings Re-Sign Ben Chiarot: Why the Move Makes Sense<\/a><\/p>\n

Diving deeper, Sandin-Pellikka\u2019s deployment hasn\u2019t changed much since his four-game cold streak. He\u2019s starting roughly the same amount of shifts in the offensive, defensive, and neutral zones, so it\u2019s not like you can say the Red Wings are placing a greater emphasis on sheltering him. He\u2019s just losing shifts to Albert Johansson and Jacob Bernard-Docker.<\/p>\n

If anything, Sandin-Pellikka\u2019s giveaways have increased lately \u2013 3.96 per 60 since December 1 (3.34 per 60 prior). That\u2019s about it, though.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"AxelDetroit Red Wings defenceman Axel Sandin Pellikka skating in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Mandatory Credit: Gerry Angus-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

On the offensive side, there\u2019s nothing to suggest that Sandin-Pellikka is in the midst of a slump. In fact, he has the highest five-on-five points per 60 among Detroit\u2019s defensemen since December 1 (1.16).<\/p>\n

Given the information above, Sandin-Pellikka\u2019s recent performance doesn\u2019t warrant a demotion from a statistical standpoint. Instead, his reduced role may simply be a matter of load management. This is his first season playing at the highest level<\/a>, and the NHL\u2019s schedule is compressed this year due to the month-long Olympic break. That\u2019s a lot of wear and tear \u2014 even for a 20-year-old.<\/p>\n

Recommended Red Wings Plan for Sandin-Pellikka<\/p>\n

Stating the obvious \u2013 it would be in Detroit\u2019s best interest if Sandin-Pellikka was an impact player down the stretch. Playing big minutes as part of a playoff push would be huge for his development.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how I would proceed with the rookie to ensure he\u2019s ready to contribute to the playoff push:<\/p>\n

Status quo until the Olympic break<\/p>\n

Use the break to recover physically and mentally<\/p>\n

Test increased ice time post-Olympics \u2013 closer to 18-19 total minutes a night<\/p>\n

I cannot emphasize enough how vital the Olympic break is. Time away from the rink and Detroit\u2019s rigorous schedule will help re-energize Sandin-Pellikka, so that he can challenge Johansson and Bernard-Docker for more ice time.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s worth pointing out, though, that there are four games between the Olympics and the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. The Red Wings are expected to buy<\/a> this year, and should add defensive depth<\/a> to bolster their blue line for the postseason.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Adding another blueliner to the mix could impact Sandin-Pellikka\u2019s ice time. That said, the rearguard controls his own fate. If his play warrants it, he\u2019ll stay in the top four and won\u2019t be pushed down further in the lineup.<\/p>\n

Data courtesy of NHL.com<\/a>, Natural Stat Trick<\/a>, and PuckIQ<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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