MLive’s Ansar Khan examines the progress made by the Detroit Red Wings’ 2024 draft picks today:
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW (No. 15): This decent-sized physical forward (6-1, 207) with an edge is preparing for his first full season in Grand Rapids. He led Skelleftea AIK in penalty minutes (51) in his lone season in Sweden’s top men’s league. After producing only five goals and 11 points in 42 regular season games, he elevated his game in the playoffs (four goals, six points in 11 games). He made his North American debut with the Griffins late in the season and picked up two goals and an assist in the playoffs. Then he collected four assists in five games with Norway at the World Championship.
Max Plante, C (No. 47): Plante displayed his passing skills as a freshman at Minnesota-Duluth with 19 assists among his 28 points. His season was shortened to 23 games due to an upper-body injury. He had a goal and two assists for the U.S, at the World Junior Championship.
Ondrej Becher, C/LW (No. 80): After a dominant final junior season with Prince George (32 goals, 96 points in 58 games), Becher contributed some offense in his first pro season with the Griffins (10 goals, 20 points in 59 games). He is poised for a bigger role at age 21.
Continued (paywall); right now, it looks like Brandsegg-Nygard is going to be an NHL player, Plante is small but savvy as a superb play-maker at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and Becher is something of a wild card…The other 5 picks are long shots, but that’s okay.
