Red Wings prospect goes the distance for Grand Rapids

Like The Bee Gees, the Grand Rapids Griffins, are Stayin’ Alive against the Chicago Wolves in the Calder Cup playoffs. 

Fittingly, Detroit Red Wings prospect Brandsegg-Nygård leads the Griffins in scoring throughout the playoffs with seven points (four goals and three assists) in seven games played. He’s earned a +3 rating and recorded eight penalty minutes in that time. It’s been a roller coaster of a season for the highest drafted Norwegian in NHL history.

Brandsegg-Nygård had an excellent start to the season with the Detroit Red Wings, but faded as time went on. This was partially due to this being his first year in North America, but also due to questionable at best deployment.

That was then, though. Now, fans are witnessing the first power forward the Red Wings have had in close to a decade.

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard is everything the Detroit Red Wings need in its top-six

The overtime winner is Brandsegg-Nygård’s brand.

He embodies an underappreciated role in the NHL — the power forward. The last power forward for the Red Wings that comes to mind is Johan Franzén. “The Mule” often slumbered through most of the season, but when that man flipped a switch he could take down the Colorado Avalanche singlehandedly.

Brandsegg-Nygård is his own player, of course. Nicknamed Taxi, Brandsegg-Nygård has done nothing but impress since his arrival in North America. 

There were questions surrounding his pacing and if his mind was quick enough to make plays at such a high level. Wings fans had their answer in spurts, but when he returned to the Griffins lineup, he quickly became one of the most consistent players.

We’re not just talking about his 44 points (20 goals and 24 assists) in 60 games played, either. It’s his rugged, upbeat play that impresses fans. His blue collar approach to hockey is apparent, as is his positive attitude. 

One minute, he’s laughing, the next he’s checking guys into a new dimension—making everyone glad he’s on our side. 

From about Thanksgiving on, Detroit fans wondered who could best fill the top line left winger role. Emmitt Finnie did a tremendous job all season, but Finnie also showed that he’s just as effective slotting anywhere in the lineup. 

Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin are in dire need of a physical presence who can win puck battles all across the ice. A player that has a good shot, isn’t afraid to use it and goes to the hard areas of the ice to score. Brandsegg-Nygård doesn’t check every box -- he knocks them into the next dimension, too. 

Although Brandsegg-Nygård has played almost, if not exclusively, as a right wing for the Griffins, he seems to be the best answer for the Red Wings for the top line. 

It’s in the Wings’ best interest to allow him every opportunity to play with Larkin and Raymond during training camp and preseason. 

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