Red Wings keep both first-round picks, take Nate Danielson and Axel Sandin Pellikka

Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings continue to add young assets as the rebuild continues into Year #5 of the “Yzerplan.”

During Wednesday night’s first-round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, the Red Wings decided to keep both of their picks and select Nate Danielson (C) and Axel Sandin Pellikka (RD).

The 18-year-old Danielson, the Alberta, Canada native, has spent the last three seasons with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL) racking up 153 points (60 goals and 93 assists) in 151 games played.

The 18-year-old Pellikka, the native of Sweden, spent the 2022-23 with the Skelleftea AIK hockey program totaling 42 points (18 goals and 24 assists) in 55 games skated.