Jacob Bernard-Docker is coming up to the Red Wings as a seventh defenseman, according to Max Bultman, while Sandin-Pellikka heads to Grand Rapids.
The move arrives one day after Detroit beat Chicago 4-1 on Thursday night. The Red Wings are riding a two-game winning streak into Saturday's game against St. Louis.
Bultman reports that Todd McLellan spoke today about how Sandin-Pellikka needs to play. He also reports the Red Wings like how their current mix is performing.
That explains who is leaving. Sandin-Pellikka isn't getting regular minutes on a defense that is working, so Detroit is sending him where he can play every night.
Bernard-Docker hasn't appeared in a game this season. Over his NHL career he has 207 games played, 7 goals and 22 assists, and Detroit's staff knows what he brings. Here is his full résumé.
Bultman adds that Bernard-Docker can still slot right in if Detroit needs him, which is the whole point of the role.
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A seventh defenseman is insurance. If a regular gets hurt or has a rough night, the Red Wings don't have to reach into the AHL on short notice.
Look at who carried the blue line Thursday. Moritz Seider logged 24:17 and picked up a power-play assist, while William Wallinder skated 17:27 with an assist and a +1 rating.
Red Wings are betting their current six hold up
That's the real story here. McLellan is backing a group that helped John Gibson stop 18 of 19 shots against Chicago, and nobody is being pushed out for a veteran.
Detroit sits 6-4-3 with 15 points, 19th in the NHL and eighth in the Atlantic Division. The goal differential is -1, so this team hasn't built much cushion yet.
Sending Sandin-Pellikka down is the right call. Sitting in the press box as an extra defenseman helps nobody, and Bultman's report makes clear he needs to play.
Bernard-Docker's job is to wait, stay sharp and be ready. Detroit is 4-3-1 at home and 2-1-2 on the road, and one injury on the back end would test how deep that mix really is.
Saturday against the Blues is the first look at the group with a veteran in reserve. Does he get a game soon, or does he sit while the Red Wings ride the streak?
Should the Red Wings have kept Sandin-Pellikka in Detroit instead of sending him to Grand Rapids?
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