Red Wings prospect forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygard had an up-and-down 14-game stint with Detroit last season, posting 1 assist in 14 games…But MBN headed down to Grand Rapids and posted a 20-goal, 44-point season for the Griffins over the course of 60 games played.
Heading into his sophomore season, it’s believed that the Red Wings will give Brandsegg-Nygard a better shot to create offense and physicality after losing Patrick Kane’s services and declining to re-sign James van Riemsdyk…
And Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen reports that MBN comes highly recommended and highly-regarded by Grand Rapids Griffins coach Dan Watson:
“He should be ready, in my opinion,” Watson said during the NHL Prospects Tournament. “He was our best player in the playoffs, and he has the ability to play physical hockey.”
The hard-hitting Norwegian may not need Watson’s support because the man making the final roster decision is Detroit’s interim GM Shawn Horcoff. He was GM of the Griffins team last season. Horcoff appreciates that MBN’s toolbox could be an asset for this Red Wings group. Plus, Horcoff seems inspired to change the look of this team.
Brandsegg-Nygard delivers goals and hits. The Red Wings are looking for help in both of those categories this season as they try to find a formula that will return them to the playoffs.
Last season, the Red Wings were 22nd in scoring in a league where the top 14 scoring teams all made the playoffs. This season, it would be beneficial if Brandsegg-Nygard could earn a place by in the top six. He could also help by netting 15 goals as a third liner. In 2025-26, he had 20 goals and 44 points in 60 AHL games.
On the first day of training camp, MBN was on a line with Carter Mazur and Nate Danielson.
“He’s got a great shot,” Watson said. “For Michael, it’s going to be be consistent on the IQ side of it, the thinking side of it, the pace side of it.”
Continued; MBN definitely has the profile of a power forward in the making. He’s a stocky 6’1″ and 207 pounds, he loves to hit, and he’s got a shot the likes of which the Wings haven’t seen since Teemu Pulkkinen in terms of his Brett Hull-like release and tendency to drop to his right knee for leverage’s sake.
Pulkkinen didn’t work out with the Red Wings, but MBN appears to be on a very different developmental track.
