EliteProspects’ Kareem Elshafey was tasked with compiling a list of 10 NHL prospects who Elshafey believes will make an impact with their respective NHL teams this upcoming season, and the final prospect on his list will likely play for the Red Wings this fall:
Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, RW/LW, Detroit Red Wings
Of all the non-blue chip affiliated prospects, there aren’t many who seem as projectable as Michael Brandsegg-Nygård is. Ever since he transitioned to North American pro hockey, he hasn’t had many issues adapting.
The common theme throughout all his AHL games is his physicality and his work rate; those two traits will be the foundational pieces to his effectiveness as an NHL player.
Brandsegg-Nygård is the ultimate disruptor as a forechecker and a puck-battler. On the forecheck, he constantly pressures opponents and looks to land the big hit, and if he’s able to turn it into a 50/50 battle, he mixes in more subtle physical skills with his positioning, stick work, and puck protection to come away with possession. He’s perfectly suited to play the puck-retriever role on a forward line but still has scoring skill, specifically his shot, to contribute offensively.
With Brandsegg-Nygård, there’s no need for the Red Wings to start him in a scoring role like other prospects would require. He can contribute in a checking role right off the bat, which makes it easier to find him an opportunity. Detroit’s forward depth is also average, meaning an impressive camp from him could see him beat out competition for a roster spot.
The long term question is not if he can handle the NHL game, but how diverse his offensive game is and what that means for his ceiling. Still, that’s a question to be answered down the road, and the Red Wings can afford to be patient, which should allow Brandsegg-Nygård to do what he does best without other major responsibility or pressure.
Continued (paywall); Brandsegg-Nygard may have a higher or lower offensive ceiling than some anticipate, depending on his developmental curve, but there’s no doubt that the 6’1,” 207-pound forward is, at the very least, a power forward in the making.
