LAS VEGAS — The Detroit Red Wings added some offensive potential to the organization Friday night by selecting Norwegian forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygård 15th overall in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft.
Brandsegg-Nygård is the first Norwegian to be selected in the first round of the NHL Draft. The Oslo native plays in Sweden’s second league and is expected to spend the 2024-25 season with Skellefteå in the top-ranked Swedish Hockey League. He will be teammates with fellow Red Wings prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka. Brandsegg-Nygård, 18, is already 6’1” and 200 pounds. He shoots right-handed, which is always in demand. He is known for being a hard worker and regularly strives to make a difference.
Brandsegg-Nygård has eight goals and 10 assists for Mora in HockeyAllsvensken in 2023-24. He does have a better scoring touch than his numbers suggest, though, and is the type of player whose efforts don’t necessarily show up on a scoresheet, in the way he works down low and helps create offensive opportunities.
REACTION:Red Wings’ Michael Brandsegg-Nygård’s Draft Pick Ripped by ESPN Host John Buccigross
The event was held at the Sphere, an 18,600-seat auditorium marketed for its immersive video and audio capabilities. This is the last time teams will all meet under one roof for a draft, as next year the NHL will move to a decentralized model to allow for remote participation.
This is also the third consecutive draft in which general manager Steve Yzerman has selected a forward in the first round, following the 2022 No. 8 selection by Marco Kasper and the 2023 No. 9 selection by Nate Danielson. Kasper made his NHL debut with just one game in the 2022-23 season. Kasper spent last season with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins, scoring 14 goals and adding 21 assists in 71 games, while Danielson spent his age-19 season in junior, scoring 12 goals and adding 19 assists in 28 games with the Portland Winterhawks. WHL.
THE BIG PICTURE:The 2024 NHL Entry Draft offers the Red Wings an opportunity to improve their team now and in the future.
Boston University’s Macklin Celebrini was the No. 1 pick Friday night in Las Vegas, selected by the San Jose Sharks earlier Friday night. Celebrini was followed by Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov at No. 2 to the Chicago Blackhawks. Michigan State placed another player in the top 10 when Saginaw Spirit defenseman Zayne Parekh was selected by the Calgary Flames with the No. 9 overall pick.
The NHL Draft continues at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, with the Red Wings having seven additional picks: Nos. 47, 80, 126, 144, 176, 203 and 208.
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjamesHis latest book, “On the Clock: Behind the Scenes with the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL Draft,” is available at Amazon, Barnes & Nobles and Triumph Books. Personalized copies are available via his email.
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