MICHAEL BRANDSEGG-NYGARD

Right Wing
6’1/194
Right
Mora IK/HockeyAllsvenskan

Related: TiJ Iginla

Michael Brandsegg Nygard was fantastic for Norway at the U20 World Juniors, recording 3 goals and 5 points in 5 games, and was their best player in the tournament. A three-zone competitive player who is good with the puck and equally as good at chasing it down. Above all, the Norwegian winger plays with intensity and defensive reliability. He reloads above pucks to remain engaged in offensive zone turnovers, blasts through center ice to chase down loose pucks when they pop out and protects pucks well along the boards. As an October 2005 birthdate, the Norweigan forward has already been playing against pros in the second-tier Swedish league, showcasing a relentless forecheck every single game. The offense hasn’t shown up yet, but it’s not due to a lack of effort. Brandsegg-Nygard is a good skater. He has excellent one-on-one skills. He has a lethal shot and is often a threat to score from range. His frame is average-sized, but he plays hard and has physicality in his game. He’s a multi-faceted shooter who can score from the top of the circles with his wrister but also gets down to one knee and really powers through a good one-touch shot, skills that have helped him excel on both the flank and the bumper on the power play in both League play and international levels. A forechecking menace with scoring ability, it’s not hard to see Brandsegg-Nygard excelling down the road alongside the elite talent in the NHL. Brandsegg Nygard has a well-rounded, which should help him to become a solid 2nd line Winger in the NHL. Right Now, he could be selected anywhere from 10-20 in the draft depending on the team’s draft need and how well he finishes the season.

Size/Strength Great
Skating Good
Shot/Scoring Good
Puckhandling Good
Physical Play Great
Offensive Play Good
Defensive Play Great
Hockey Sense Excellent
Competitiveness Excellent

Strengths

1. A three-zone competitive player who is good with the puck and is a menace on the forecheck.
2. Smart, defensively sound winger with great shooting mechanics and vision.
3. plays with intensity and defensive reliability; great puck pursuit skills and protects pucks well along the boards.

Areas of Improvement

1. Doesn’t have high offensive production.
2. Lacks consistency in the goal-scoring department.

Scouting Report

Although Michael Brandsegg-Nygard’s point totals so far this year in the Allsvenskan, Sweden’s second division of pro hockey is not anything to brag about with just 6 goals and 13 points in 32 games, he brings a lot more to the table than score goals, which makes him a highly coveted prospect in the 2024 draft. Despite not having the production of a top-10 pick, he has the skillset and the potential to be a great and impactful player in the NHL. The Norwegian winger plays with intensity and defensive reliability, he reloads above pucks to remain engaged in offensive zone turnovers, blasts through center ice to chase down loose pucks when they pop out, and protects pucks well along the boards. Beyond his off-puck savvy, which extends into offensive scenarios, he has a hard release with an unlocked top arm which has been giving Allsvenskan netminders a look behind their backs, but the bounces haven’t come yet. His lack of production isn’t from a lack of creating plays, because he has set up his teammates with great scoring changes, but they weren’t able to capitalize. Brandsegg-Nygard is a player who many NHL teams will covet in the draft because it will translate very well to the NHL and his ability to adapt and play alongside elite talent, will make him more attractive to teams trying to find a final piece of their core. My NHL Comparison for Brandsegg-Nygard is Mats Zuccarello, because not only are they both Norwegian, but they have pretty similar play styles; the difference is that Brandsegg-Nygard is 6’1/194, while Zuccarello is 5’7/179. With that said, Brandsegg-Nygard may become a very good top 6 forward in the NHL, but it could take some time for him to adjust to the NHL level, which is why i could see him going anywhere from 10-15 in the draft.

Skill: Smart, defensively-sound winger with a scoring touch

NHL Comparable: Mats Zuccarello

NHL Potential: Top 6 Two-Way Forward

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