The Detroit Red Wings have a long history of bringing Swedish players to the NHL who have long and storied careers, and in the coming season, will hope to continue that tradition with a pair of young defenseman playing for their AHL affiliate. <\/p>\n
Barring another surprise, Axel Sandin-Pellikka, who spent much of last season on Detroit\u2019s main roster will likely play his sophomore season in America for the Griffins.<\/a> Joining him for his first full season of North American hockey will be one of Detroit\u2019s other top prospect defenseman, fellow Swede Anton Johansson.<\/p>\n The most intriguing thing about the two playing in Grand Rapids together, though, is that the two have opportunity to help drive the Griffins offense as well as their defense.<\/p>\n Complementary<\/p>\n There are certainly a couple of things about the two Swedish defenseman that helps to set them apart, starting with the broad strokes of the fact that Johansson, 6\u20194\u2033 towers above Sandin-Pellikka, who is generously listed at 6\u20190\u2033 by the NHL. The two also have disparate playstyles, with Sandin-Pellikka known more for his ability with the puck on his stick than Johansson is. <\/p>\n That sort of offensive creativity and ability to keep the puck away from opponents once he got possession of it was what got the then 20 year old rookie on the Red Wings opening night roster over a more experienced veteran in Erik Gustafsson. In 68 games with Detroit\u2019s main club, Sandin-Pellikka had 21 points while adjusting to the smaller North American ice for the first time before seemingly diminishing returns saw him assigned to Grand Rapids<\/a>. <\/p>\n However, that doesn\u2019t mean Johansson is a deer in the headlights when he gets the puck. In his final season for Leksands IF in the SHL, Johansson had 17 points in 42 games and tacked another six points on in eight AHL regular season games after his season in Europe finished. He had another goal during the Griffins eight game playoff run and lead the team with 19 shots through the first six games.<\/p>\n