The Athletic’s Max Bultman offers a six-part series of observations regarding the Red Wings’ Prospect Games this morning, including the following about Michael Brandsegg-Nygard’s eventual playing destination (Skelleftea AIK of the SHL? The Grand Rapids Griffins? Or even the Red Wings?):
[Red Wings assistant director of player development Dan] Cleary left that open-ended, saying general manager Steve Yzerman would ultimately make that decision and that it would be a great experience for him either way — whether he’s in Skellefteå or North America.
“We’ll see how it goes,” Cleary said. “Obviously he’s going to play some preseason games and get a feel, and we’re just going to sit back and watch. … You’re going to be able to see how he looks. He’s got the strength, he’s got the maturity, it’s not easy to step in and play. So we’ll see how things go.”
I asked Brandsegg-Nygård where he’d like to be, and his answer was unsurprising:
“I mean, I would like to be (with) the Detroit Red Wings,” he said with a laugh. “But I have no idea what’s going to happen, and I’m just going to do my best and hope for the best and just see what happens.”
For what it’s worth, I got the sense that if it’s not Detroit, Brandsegg-Nygård might prefer to play in Sweden this season. But that decision will ultimately come after the preseason, and he’s got plenty of opportunity now to show the organization what he can do, regardless of where he spends the season.
He wants to show coaches that he can play in tight, in late-game situations, and up or down a goal, to go along with his physicality and shot.
Continued (paywall); Brandsegg-Nygard said repeatedly this summer that he wants to play for Skelleftea AIK this upcoming season, but he may change his mind depending on how training camp goes–and the Red Wings may persuade MBN to play in North America if they feel that doing so would be best for his development.
At this point, all options really are on the table, and the Red Wings are going to take their time making a decision (read: by playing Brandsegg-Nygard in several exhibition games).
Some folks already think that the AHL would be the best destination for MBN; I’m not so certain about that, but the Red Wings signed him to control his playing future, and now they have the ability to determine what fit is best for the budding power forward.
