Hockeysverige.se’s Mans Karlsson points us toward an article on Nitten.no, in which Anders Myrvold, the GM of Michael Brandsegg-Nygard’s former team, Valerenga HC, suggests that the Red Wings should keep MBN in North America:
“Why go to Sweden when you can be one phone call away from playing in the next NHL game?”
Anders Myrvold believes AHL play for the Grand Rapids Griffins is the best solution for Michael Brandsegg-Nygard if the 18-year-old does not go straight into the NHL.
“Why go to Sweden when you can be one phone call away from playing in the next NHL game?”
Valerenga sports director Anders Myrvold knows daily life in North American hockey very well, and he believes that the AHL and the Grand Rapids Griffins are the best alternative for the Norwegian star, should his career in the USA not begin with NHL play.
NHL, AHL, or SHL? That’s the question for Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, who has scored both a goal and delivered a crucial assist in the last two warm-up games for the Detroit Red Wings.
“The AHL is not like it was when I played there. Back then, it was a B League like no other with long trips, fights and chaos. Now it’s a developmental league with orderly conditions. There are two different worlds. They arrange everything so that you will be ready the day the chance comes and have full control over you,” says Myrvold.
“For me, this is a no-brainer. I would have stayed over there if given the chance.”
Not surprised
From what nitten.no understands, Brandsegg-Nygard has expressed at an earlier point that he would initially like to play in the SHL this season if the AHL became the alternative.
“The Red Wings will decide, but they have said they won’t force me to do something I don’t want myself,” Brandsegg-Nygard told nitten.no this summer.
“Detroit is in charge, but basically the SHL and Skelleftea AIK are the alternative. Then the question is whether they think he is so close that things can change,” said father Kjell Richard Nygard to nitten.no recently.
The former NHL player feels sure that Brandsegg-Nygard will also get a chance in some of the last warm-up games for the Red Wings.
“Exactly what they are thinking, only Steve Yzerman and the coaching staff know. They evaluate him against others, perhaps he’s not intended for a role in one of the top lines, and then you have to look at the best solution. They want the greatest possible development for Michael,” says Myrvold.
“The Grand Rapids Griffins are a major team in the AHL, they are based in Michigan near Detroit, the teams have a very close collaboration and he will have a similar role as he is later intended for in the NHL. He will gain confidence, produce points and throughout be a phone call from an NHL game. That doesn’t happen in Skelleftea.”
NHL Now?
Brandsegg-Nygard was drafted in the 1st round this past summer, went to a development camp with the Red Wings and signed a so-called “entry-level contract” in the NHL before starting his training camp with Skelleftea in Sweden.
Last week, dad Kjell Richard Nygard was clear that the 18-year-old has a real chance of becoming part of the Red Wings squad already this autumn.
“Anything can happen. Most likely there won’t be NHL games right now, but as long as you’re fighting while others are sent home there are opportunities. And when you also score and produce, you put more Kroner in the bucket,” says VIF sports manager Anders Myrvold.
Are you surprised that Brandsegg-Nygard is still part of the Red Wings’ lineup?
“No! Everyone has the technique and is good at skating here, but you also have to show explosiveness and strength in close battles. Michael is strong and fearless.”
PS! TV 4’s hockey commentator Lars Lindberg writes on his X account that the last time a 1st round-drafted Red Wings player went straight onto the NHL team was in 1990.
