Devils Prospect Profile: Michael Brandsegg-Nygård In New Jersey Could Be Interesting

Guest Written Article by Russ Cohen

The New Jersey Devils have one of the best collections of young players in the NHL. And while there is talk out there that they may trade the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, if they don’t, they have to be ready.

I get access to the draft floor because of what I do on the NHL Draft show for NHL Network Radio. As a result, I could see how the Devils hashed it out when picking Simon Nemec in 2022. I think this pick could create similar banter but that’s what good scouting departments do.

At the NHL Combine, I got to view Michael Brandsegg-Nygård’s toughness and competitiveness. I noticed him punching his thighs before the shuttle run and afterward, I asked him about it.

“I got cramps after a jump, “Nygård laughed.

Mats Zuccarello played with Nygård — a potential Devils prospect — in the recent World Championships. The youngster had three goals and two assists against men and was third on the team in scoring. Since Zuccarello played in the Metro area, he can school the young Norwegian to help him feel more at ease.

“I just tried to go out there and do my best. I tried to get as much info from Zuccarello. He has been my idol since I was a little kid,” Nygård said. “Hopefully me and Solberg can give motivation to kids back in our country.”

Here are my scouting notes:

“He’s a two-way player with a good hockey I.Q. I like his play along the wall. Good acceleration. Gets to loose pucks first. He has a very hard wrist shot. The release is good, it’s accurate and a weapon on the power play. He is a second-line talent who might be more in the future.”

Playing against older players can advance a player’s development. In the J20, against players closer to his age, the right wing scored 12 points in seven games.

“Maybe to be more mature, knowing where to take risks on the ice and be better with puck management,” Nygård stated. “I think I handled it well. And developed as the season went on and got better and better.”

At just under 6’1” and 207 pounds, he’s close to being an NHL player on the ice. Next year in the SHL is a great proving ground for him and then the organization can see where his development is at. It still might take a few years until he hits New Jersey but he may be ready for the AHL next season, that’s a possibility.

Some will say it’s too early to take him. I say, if a team identifies a need in their organization, and they can fulfill that, you take that player.

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