FORT LAUDERDALE, FL − As disappointing as the Detroit Red Wings are that their summer is about to shift to tee times rather than playoff games, at least three of their young players will continue to gain experience in the minors.
Forwards Michael Brandsegg-Nygård and Carter Mazur and defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka will be assigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins after the Wings play their season finale Wednesday, April 15, against the Florida Panthers. Veteran forward Dominik Shine will also be part of the group headed to GR.
“Four of us are still going to head down to Grand Rapids and play for, hopefully, the trophy down there,” Mazur said after the morning skate. “We need to get ready for that.
“I wanted to make the playoffs here. I grew up watching the Wings, and they’ve been a playoff team, and I wanted to help them get there, but sadly we didn’t. But it’s great to look forward to something and go down there and just compete.”
For Mazur, drafted at No. 70 in 2023, being able to continue playing anywhere is a lifeline after a season that, again, was marked by injuries. He had played just 14 games in the minors when the Wings called him up in late March.
Mazur, a grinder, and projected bottom-six forward, had no points through seven NHL games, but being in the lineup as the team battled in a playoff race was significant.
“This poor guy’s been through hell when it comes to injuries,” coach Todd McLellan said. “He finally got his feet underneath him. He had a late start to the season, March start. And he was hot down there. We brought him up. I think this experience can only help him. He’s understanding the pace and the strength of the NHL game. He was through it when there were some really intense games. He could see what stress can do to individuals. So I think for him it’s been a valuable time.”
It was Mazur’s 24th birthday when he found out he was joining the Wings. After a tentative start haunted by the elbow injury he suffered a minute into his NHL debut last year, he found his footing.
“I think it’s been 19 days, so I’m feeling a lot more comfortable,” Mazur said Wednesday. “.Just getting my feet wet playing NHL games is really valuable for my development. I think every game I get, I’ve felt a lot more comfortable out there and started to get back to my game. I have been through a lot, but I have the right team behind me. It’s just putting myself back in that position to succeed on the ice.”
Sandin-Pelllikka drafted at No. 17 in 2023, had 21 points after 67 games with the Wings. The 21-year-old started the season with the Wings, but when they acquired Justin Faulk at the trade deadline, Sandin-Pellikka was sent to the minors to work on defense.
“We know what his offensive talents are,” McLellan said. “His size is always going to be his size, so the quickness and the strength he can work on. But he can also do a little bit of reads and reactions defensively. But he’s got a real good and healthy future in front of him, and he’s got a lot of experience this year in the NHL. And he’s going to get a lot more being a go-to guy in the American League now that he’s going to get that chance.”
Brandsegg-Nygård, the No. 15 pick in 2024, likewise made the Wings out of camp, but lasted only about two weeks before being sent down. He rejoined the Wings in early March.
Another young player, Emmitt Finnie, isn’t eligible to play in the AHL playoffs, but wrote a great rookie story in working his way onto the Wings’ top line and appearing in every game.
“These young kids, it’s actually quite remarkable the things that they did,” McLellan said. “Emmitt Finnie and MBN and Ax opening night lineup as inexperienced professionals. That alone was a huge accomplishment. We saw what happens with the league as it grows. The fall hockey compared to spring hockey is significantly different. They have to experience that. Other than Emmitt having played junior years, the other two playing in Europe, they never experienced what 82 games feels like. All three of them are still maturing physically and mentally.
“I’ll say it again, they all have real bright futures. The exciting thing is they’ll put the work in and only get better.”
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Red Wings rookies about to experience playoff hockey − in Grand Rapids
Reporting by Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
