Red Wings rookie already making history

Michael Brandsegg-Nygård is a bully on skates that Detroit Red Wings fans are thankful to have on their team.

Rather than just the stereotypical Steve Yzerman pick during his tenure as the Red Wings’ general manager, Brandsegg-Nygård is proving that he’s more than just a two-way European player with a limited ceiling.

While still technically a rookie, Brandsegg-Nygård has left the doubts of last season in the past. It seems like a switch flipped in his brain. Brandsegg-Nygård is playing as he did during the the Grand Rapids Griffins' playoff hunt last season in the AHL. Serving as the Wings’ center of gravity, Brandsegg-Nygård draws both opponents to him like a moth to flames, while simultaneously dragging his line mates into the fight (whether they want to join or not0.

Every line he plays on increases its competitive nature, physicality and dogged determination. It’s no coincidence that a storm surges on the ice when Brandsegg-Nygård enters the fold. It's a trait the Red Wings have lacked for some time.

And now, he's making history.

Michael Brandsegg-Nygård breaks decades-long record for Detroit

Since the NHL started recording hits in 2005-06, no one on the Red Wings has recorded more than 10 hits in a single game -- until Monday night’s game, that is.

Brandsegg-Nygård decided that 10 didn’t quite cut it against the high flying Edmonton Oilers. 

11 hits are impressive in their own right. Coupled with the rest of his 54 hits this season alone, Brandsegg-Nygård sits fourth in the NHL overall and first among all rookies. Only Kiefer Sherwood (San Jose, 68 in 12 games played), Yakov Trenin (Minnesota, 59 in 13 games played), and Will Cuylle (New York Rangers, 59 in 14 games played) have more.

Amongst rookies, his 54 hits far exceed the next closest rookie -- Florida’s Sandis Vilmanis, who has 32 hits.

It’s one thing if a player seeks physicality, but abandons the game plan. So many players, especially young guys, will seek out the physical play without any regard for the puck, the zone they’e in or the opportunity to make a good play. They just love to hit and will do so recklessly. 

Although Brandsegg-Nygård is still learning, he’s not leaving his teammates out to dry in favor of a big hit. Brandsegg-Nygård is still a +9 rating and his advanced stats match the eye test, showing that he's more than just a well-rounded, physical forward.

If the Detroit Red Wings can help Brandsegg-Nygård find his scoring touch, he might give other teams nightmares.

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