Of late-night Red Wings draft-related note:
The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler and Corey Pronman weighed in on each and every first-round selection at the 2024 NHL Draft, and Wheeler has this to say about the Wings’ selection of Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, issuing an “overtime winner” status to his new team:
Pick No. 15: Michael Brandsegg-Nygard
My ranking: No. 14Red Wings fans kept telling us how tired they were of us mocking Brandsegg-Nygard to Detroit, but here we are. They have among the most predictable amateur scouting departments in the league, despite being relatively closed-off as a staff. Brandsegg-Nygard, with his work rate, size and complete game, is exactly the type of player they like. He’s also got a legitimate NHL shot and some real offense off the wing, though, and he was my second-ranked prospect there (they were never going to take Eiserman). They’re going to need to find a game-breaker if they want to elevate their ceiling as a team, but Brandsegg-Nygard, Nate Danielson, Marco Kasper, Carter Mazur and others are all going to be good players who pull on the same rope. He’s a good pick from where they picked.
And here’s what Pronman had to say:
15. Detroit Red Wings: Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, F, Mora IK (HockeyAllsvenskan)
October 5, 2005 | 6′ 1″ | 207 pounds
Tier: Bubble top and middle of the lineup player
Player comparable: Tyler Bertuzzi
Analysis: Brandsegg-Nygard was very good at the Swedish junior level. He started off slow versus men, but was very good in the Allsvenskan playoffs and made Norway’s senior team. He is a well-rounded forward. He’s a good skater. He has strong puck skills. He has a great shot and is often a threat to score from mid-distance. His frame is average-sized, but he plays hard and has physicality in his game. He thinks the game well and sees plays develop, but I don’t think his playmaking is his main asset. Even if he’s not very dynamic, Brandsegg-Nygard has a game that should lend itself to success versus men, eventually as a good NHL forward and potentially in a top six.
Pick grade: B
Thoughts on the pick: In what may be the most predictable pick in this draft, Detroit picks the player that we gave them in nearly every mock draft. He’s a hard-working two-way winger who can score and has some bite, and projects as a top-six wing.
I had a feeling that the Wings would pick Brandsegg-Nygard, too–to the point that I expected nothing less, myself–but that’s okay. Their scouting department is somewhat predictable, and they have a first-round “type” in a forward who possesses good all-round skills, “hockey sense,” character, no glaring flaws, and a desire to self-improve.
Maybe it would have been more fun to hear Steve Yzerman call Cole Eiserman’s name, or to see Shai Buium’s younger brother Zeev fall to the Wings, but neither of those outcomes took place.
