Detroit Hockey Now is launching a series of articles about the Red Wings’ young players, and Kevin Allen kicks it off with a discussion of Michael Brandsegg-Nygard’s readiness for NHL play:
Three Reasons Why Brandsegg-Nygard Will Play in the NHL
- The Red Wings believed Brandsegg-Nygard boasted an NHL shot when they drafted him. Last season, he made strides in understanding how to use his shot off even when he doesn’t have much time or space.
- Although he grew up in Norway, MBN came to the U.S. with a North American approach to hockey. He offers a physical game to go with his scoring touch.
- A feisty competitor, the young winger is already a strong forechecker and is improving as a defensive forward. “I trust him, and he’s going to do the right things,” [Grand Rapids Griffins coach Dan] Watson said. “He’s strong on pucks, he protects pucks, he’s hard to knock off pucks. So just all those intangibles he has.”
What May Hold Him Back
Brandsegg-Nygard is still learning how to get himself open in the offensive zone. He is still working to master the knack of seeing a scoring chance before it happens.
Continued; MBN is definitely a stocky, physical sniper in waiting if he is able to manifest that big, booming shot regularly, but he could also be a superb net-front player on the power play. It’s just going to take him a little more time to harness NHL timing with NHL coordination and NHL strength.
