The Detroit Red Wings made a bold move to open the season, rolling the dice on three rookies: Emmitt Finnie, Axel Sandin-Pellikka, and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård. For a team with playoff aspirations, that's not the kind of decision you make lightly. But it speaks volumes about the organization’s belief in its young talent-and Brandsegg-Nygård in particular.
The 20-year-old Norwegian winger got a brief taste of NHL action early on, skating in nine games with the big club. He notched one assist-a secondary helper on a Jonatan Berggren goal during a lopsided loss to the Islanders on October 23-and finished that stint with a minus-five rating. Not the flashiest debut, but for a rookie making the leap to the NHL, it was a valuable learning experience.
Since being reassigned to the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins, Brandsegg-Nygård has found his rhythm. In 40 games, he’s racked up eight goals and 17 assists, good for 25 points.
That total ranks him fourth among all Griffins skaters, leads the team’s rookie class, and places him 15th among all AHL rookies. Not bad for a first-year pro still adjusting to the North American game.
What’s stood out most is how he’s earned that production. Brandsegg-Nygård has been getting top-six minutes and regular power play time with Grand Rapids.
He’s scored twice on the man advantage, often setting up in the one-time spot where his shot can do the most damage. That’s no accident-his shot is what drew Detroit to him in the first place.
The Red Wings used a first-round pick on Brandsegg-Nygård in 2024 largely because of that elite shooting ability. And if he’s going to earn a permanent spot in Detroit, it’ll be on the strength of that weapon. He flashed it in the preseason, scoring four goals and turning heads with his quick release and heavy shot.
Head coach Todd McLellan saw it firsthand. After a preseason win over Buffalo, he didn’t hold back in his praise.
“The information that I’ve received is that he’s a hell of a shooter,” McLellan said. “I watched the one playoff game in Grand Rapids last year and I thought he set himself up to shoot all the time.
If someone gets him the puck he’s ready to shoot. I think it’s a big part of his game.
He has that heaviness and all those other things, but for me, the shot isn’t a surprise. I’ve been told about it and witnessed it.”
Still, there’s a gap between potential and production at the NHL level. During his first stint with the Red Wings, Brandsegg-Nygård struggled to make an impact offensively.
He logged some power play time but only managed 14 shots in nine games. At times, the pace of the game seemed a step ahead of him-an adjustment curve that’s not uncommon for young players transitioning to the NHL.
The question now is whether he’ll get another shot this season.
The Red Wings have had a tough time generating offense outside their top line. Depth scoring has been inconsistent, the second power play unit hasn’t found its footing, and five-on-five production has dried up at times.
The team scored just seven goals in its final five games before the Olympic break-only two of those came at even strength. That’s not going to cut it for a team trying to stay in the playoff hunt.
It’s no secret the Red Wings are likely to make a move at the trade deadline, potentially adding a forward to bolster the lineup. That kind of addition could block Brandsegg-Nygård’s path back to Detroit in the short term. But if he keeps producing in Grand Rapids-and more importantly, if he keeps scoring-he could force the issue.
General manager Steve Yzerman has made it clear this season that performance dictates opportunity. If Brandsegg-Nygård continues to show he can finish plays and be a difference-maker, there’s a real chance he could be called upon down the stretch.
And if that happens, don’t be surprised if his next stint in Detroit looks a lot different than the first.