Player Information
Team: Mora IK
Date of Birth: October 5th, 2005 (18 years old)
Height: 185cm / 6’1”
Weight: 88kg / 194 lbs
Position: RW
Handedness: Right
Introduction
Michael Brandsegg–Nygård is an extremely smart and lethal winger who has endured a great start to his draft season with a stat line of 21 games 1 goal and 4 assists in the Hockey Allsvenskan and 5 goals 7 asissts for 12 points in 7 J20 Nationell games. The hype for Brandsegg-Nygård has been evident and growing all season long and for good reason. He has an incredible shot, great IQ and a desire to be an option and help his teammates create offence. The Bulky Norwegian also has a very well-rounded defensive game and has a lot to like within his mature game. The highest drafted Norwegian was Maruis Holtet in 2002 where he was drafted #42 by the Dallas Stars, will Michael Brandsegg- Nygård become the record holder come the end of the season? I think so and here is why.
Hockey IQ
When I watch new forward prospects the first thing, I look for is how well they read situations and different plays. Brandsegg-Nygård has great habits and a mature game that is focused on helping the team score rather than his own personal glory, a trait not often seen by players in there draft year. This is only my second-year scouting but Michael Brandsegg-Nygård could be one of the smartest prospects I’ve had the pleasure of watching.
I believe, this first clip perfectly shows off how Brandsegg-Nygård reads the game and his understanding of high danger areas. In the clip below we see Brandsegg-Nygård play a perfect F3 game. Firstly, he positions himself perfectly on the zone entry by cutting towards the middle of the ice giving him space and time to be picked out by a teammate and put a high danger shot on net. Secondly, on the rebound he supports the forecheck by blocking the half wall breakout option and when the puck gets won behind the net he is once again in the slot waiting for the pass and this time, he finishes his chance with an accurate one time shot. I love this kind of play from forwards. Brandsegg-Nygård understands where to position himself to make himself a threat and where to put himself to help his teammates.
One thing you notice when you watch Michael Brandsegg-Nygård for a few games is he has some great habits and real grasp on how to create offence 5v5 and be an option for his teammates. In the clip below, we see Brandsegg-Nygård chase down a loose puck and look for his defenceman as an option for the pass. Once the puck goes back to the defender and then to the weak side Dman we see Brandsegg-Nygård activate from the wall and drive the net hard to create a high danger option at the backdoor. Michael Brandsegg-Nygård does this kind of play a lot. This stems from his IQ once again, he understands systems, cycles and where goals from very well, especially for an 18-year-old which is why he is playing in the Allsvenskan.
The final part of his hockey brain I will highlight is his willingness to use his teammates on zone entries and offence in general. In the clips below, Brandsegg-Nygård shows a great comprehension of where his teammates are on the ice and when to use them. In all three of the clips Michael Brandsegg-Nygård crosses the offensive blueline, takes a defenceman out of the play and makes a pass for his teammate but in three different ways. I could talk all day about how smart and switched on Michael Brandsegg-Nygård is, I really love his game and the level of his hockey brain and his willingness to help teammates is something I haven’t seen as prominently in any other prospect.
Offensive tools
In terms of Michael Brandsegg-Nygård’s Offensive tools he has an outstanding shot and a big body which makes stripping the puck from him a task. His shot is multi-faceted as he is just as competent one timing a puck, a wrist shot above the hash marks or 1-on-1 with the netminder. His release is superb and accuracy causes a lot of problems for netminders as he can get his shot off for most areas on the ice.
In the clip above, I love how Brandsegg-Nygård floats behind the puck carrier. It gives the puck carrier a outlet pass and puts the Norwegian in a great position to create offence and once again the release is incredible.
So far this season Micheal Brandsegg-Nygård is averaging nearly 2 minutes of powerplay time per night and it’s clear to see why. With his various different tools, Brandsegg-Nygård can play out on the wings, walk in from the point or swarm the net front and be a bumper player.
Michael Brandsegg Nygård can set up his teammates with sneaky passes and great vision. He also uses his big frame to shield the puck and hold the play to get his teammates involved and in the clip below we see his habit of using his point men to cycle the puck.
He also understands how to manipulate defencemen in order to find his teammates as we see Brandsegg-Nygård outwait the defenceman to make the 2-on-1 pass for the goal.
An underrated part of Brandsegg-Nygard’s game is his hands. He can dance his way through players and when you pair his big body, impressive skating and his hands you get a very lethal puck carrier. In the clip below, Brandsegg-Nygard picks up the off the wall and actives well turning towards the net and uses his reach to protect the puck and finishes the play into the empty net.
Overall, his offensive tools are very solid and can create offence on his own. His multi-faceted shot and release is one of the best in this draft and is improving game on game. Normally, with prospects that have a shot as good as Michael Brandsegg-Nygård’s, they neglect the rest of there tools. Brandsegg-Nygård does not. His passing and hands are decent enough and getting better once again. The thing that sets Brandsegg-Nygård apart is that he can pair his IQ with his tools perfectly, He knows his own abilities inside out and knows plays he is capable of and those that he is not.
Defensive play
Defensively, Michael Brandsegg-Nygård has already established himself as one of the best defensive forwards in this draft. His naturally big frame helps him greatly in this regard as he isn’t afraid to go into the corners and initiate contact with players.
His use of his stick is very effective and efficient as Brandsegg-Nygård knows when to attack the puck or go for the stick lift and tie up the player. When watching Michael Brandsegg-Nygård you notice quite quickly that he flies around the ice regardless of whether he is forechecking or backchecking he is hustling and busting a gut to win the puck back and disrupt opposition offence. In the clip below, Once Brandsegg-Nygård sees the puck become he is explosive and quickly reacts to the free puck causing a turnover a and eventually a goal all from his defensive work and willingness to challenge for pucks.
Not overly a defensive trait but Michael Brandsegg-Nygård board play is incredible. He understands how forecheckers will challenge him and reacts accordingly using his big frame to protect the puck and looks to offload the puck to teammates. This also works in the reverse as Brandsegg-Nygård knows how to enter board battles as a forechecker and is successful in doing so.
This shows when you look at his Hockey Allsvenskan stats this year. On average, Michael Brandsegg-Nygård only has 14:17 TOI per game but in this time, he averages 10.8 puck recoveries and only allows 10 shots against.
This willingness and relentless defensive play for Brandsegg-Nygård is a huge plus in his game and his effectiveness is impressive. For a player in his draft year.
Skating
As I have already mentioned Brandsegg Nygård has a stocky frame standing at 6’1” and 88 Kg but this doesn’t affect his skating in the slightest, in fact it may help him. Brandsegg-Nygård has impressive acceleration and has an explosive element to his skating which can really help his separation away from defenders or help his gap control when fore/backchecking.
Brandsegg-Nygård is so strong on his skates and is a force when he gets going he and is rarely knocked off the puck. Once in full flight the speed and strength is very solid and its even more evident when he plays against players his age U20’s or internationally at U18 level.
To be honest I didn’t realize how good his skating is until I took the time to properly analyse it. But his strides are smooth, and he can put energy into his skating without looking clunky or jagged. Also, his edges are great as he can cut and change direction at will which again for a player of his size is super impressive.
Comparable
In terms of a comparable, I have two. Firstly, is someone drafted in last year’s NHL entry draft and that is Dalibor Dvorsky. Both played there draft year in the Hockey Allsvenskan whilst it being there third year playing in a professional league. I wrote a player profile on Dvorsky last year (you can view it here https://www.recruitscouting.com/player-profile-dalibor-dvorsky/) and both had similar pros and cons.
- Both are exceptionally smart players with the ability to make high IQ offensive.
- Both have really accurate shot with a great release
- They both have an energetic defensive game
- However, both struggled to produce the points that match their skill-set
Analytically, they match up as well.
| Averages per game | Michael Brandsegg-Nygård – 2023/24 Allsvenskan | Dalibor Dvorsky – 2022/23 Allsvenskan |
| Time on Ice | 14:17 | 13:06 |
| Goals | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| Assists | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| points | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| Shot attempts | 3.1 | 3.8 |
| Shots on goal | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| Chances For | 9.2 | 12.4 |
| Chances Against | 9.1 | 10.1 |
Both have a similar range as Dvorsky went 11th last year
For an NHL comparable I project Michael Brandsegg-Nygard to be a Top 6, 200ft winger who can play PP and PK. That description instantly sounds like JT Compher to me, and I think it could be quite accurate if Michael Brandseeg-Nygard can up his production (all the tools are there just new a few bounces)
Rankings
Michael Brandsegg-Nygård has received a decent amount of attention to start his draft year and the consensus has been rational to start the year with most ranking Brandsegg-Nygård around the #15 overall mark. For me, that is the perfect spot for Brandsegg-Nygård and fair value at #15. Although I can definitely see him creeping into the top 10 with a strong World Juniors and continuing his Allsvenskan form. His sound defensive game, solid skating and great IQ are just what NHL scouts look for in a Forward outside of the top 5.
Conclusion
I don’t think Ive ever fell in love with a prospect as quickly as I did with Michael Brandsegg-Nygård. his tools are fantastic with a snappy shot, slick passing and elusive hands. His frame his stocky and strong but he still skates with some of the best with an explosive strides and fantastic edges that allow him to turn on a dime. Also, his defensive game is phenominal as he gives 100% every shift whether forechecking or backchecking, Brandsegg-Nygård is the first there regardless.But the highlight for me is his brain and hockey IQ he understands 5v5 hockey so well and knows how to be an option for his teammates and how to move around the defending team. Often what Brandsegg-Nygård does is thankless and sometime doesn’t result in points or goals but helps his team immensely. I know i have harped on enough about how smart he is but i really can’t sell it anymore, it is fantastic.