Dan Cleary’s Crystal Ball: What’s Ahead for Two Top Red Wings Prospects

The cupboards were nearly bare when Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman arrived back in town in April of 2019 to take over from Ken Holland, owing mostly to the latter's penchant for trading prospects for older veterans. 

Since Yzerman's return to the Red Wings, he's laid the foundations for what he and the organization anticipates as long-lasting success thanks to the strong prospect pool he's amassed. 

Two of those prospects that could soon be making a difference for the Red Wings at the NHL level are defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka, selected with the 17th pick in 2023, along with forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, selected with the 15th pick in 2024. 

Brandsegg-Nygård recently made the jump to North America, joining the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins for the Calder Cup Playoffs; he scored two goals while adding an assist in three games. 

He's already made a good impression on Red Wings director of amateur scouting Dan Cleary, who believes that his playing style will fit right in to the North American game. 

"He got a taste of it at the end of the season in Grand Rapids, and as the games went along, he got better," Cleary said. "He's got a good frame and mindset; he's very competitive. There's going to be some growing pains (in Grand Rapids), but we've got great coaches down there. He's got a game that's built for this North American style."

Sandin-Pellikka, an offensive-minded blue liner who has been compared to star Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, is expected to be a regular with the Griffins in the upcoming 2025-26 season in Cleary's mind.

"I anticipate he'll play a regular role (in Grand Rapids), be good on the power play," Cleary said. "We're going to work on his skating, his strength and his ability to move around the ice, especially in the neutral zone and in the defensive zone. He's got to spend a lot of time in the gym, working on skating, learning."

Both players are expected to be participants in Red Wings Training Camp, which officially begins from Traverse City, Mich. on September 18.