Prospect Info: 15th Overall, Michael Brandsegg-Nygaard

[heyfolks]

Holy mother of glad I missed it.

MBN had already signed his SHL deal. He was over on loan. The intent was he would go back, with the option to stay being his alone. The link to the comments by Berggren are spot on about development, league and player mindset. My summary post about development is impeccably crafted and offers insight well beyond most expert analysis you will find on the NHL Network.

In GR he is behind Marco and Nate. He made the right call.

NOW, my inside sources tell me Yzerman is PISSED at Berggren for providing such sound advise.

 

[Henkka]

Is it possible he come back at the end of the SHL season to play some games if Skellefta have unexpected bad playoffs?

Yes it is. Probably he goes to AHL for some games after SHL season.

 

[Webster]

At least the Tweets ya'll are posting now are starting to reveal something closer to the truth than the original click-baity garbage that was trying to stir up drama lol.

How do you know the truth? I'll trust what journalists both over here and in Sweden are reporting, I doubt their tweets are garbage...

 

[LongTimeDRWF]

Yes it is. Probably he goes to AHL for some games after SHL season.

Also, if things are not working out for MBN (unlikely, but you never know) I am sure a contract cancellation can be worked out and they can bring him over to GR.

 

[Ed Ned and Leddy]

You guys have it all wrong. MBN hooked up with Prince Fielder’s wife so Yzerman had to send him back to the SHL (which is a subjectively worse league than the AHL) instead of GR.

Walman reported it to Yzerman which is why he got traded. The future considerations for San Jose are Doug Fister.

 

[OldnotDeadWings]

Rather than this episode being a hurricane force tempest in a teapot and harbinger of future problems, the honest communication between the two sides and MBN being able to make his own decision seems like the best possible way to have handled the whole thing. There will be no repercussions.

 

[heyfolks]

Play in a development league far from home, ride a bus, and have slim odds to play for the parent club OR play in the top league in Europe, in front of (relatively) a larger more passionate crowd, where the objective is winning first, then development, where a top 6 role is a near lock and you are closer to home. It's a no brainer.

Funnier yet, with all the hand wringing going on here, that was the common sentiment by all the experts BEFORE and DURING camp. I see it again and again (accept for here) in most any search on the guy. Heck, I was looking for a salary comparison (AHL to SHL) for the guy and still ran across Malik and others saying how the better path is the SHL, the expected path is the SHL and the contracted path is the...... class!?


What is the pay differential? That I couldn't find. LOL

michael brandsegg-nygård skellefteå aik contract details - Google Suche

 

[RRhoads]

Not this prospect. If Yzerman thinks MBN is almost NHL ready, then I'm sure GR would be a quicker route. That's why some people don't understand his decision including his former GM.

Anders Myrvold said he should stay in GR because he would be "a phone call away" from the big league. In theory, that is true, but chances are slim he would get his chance this year.

Personally, even as a Norwegian, I am a bit indifferent to him staying in Sweden or going to GR. There are advantages to both approaches, but I can really see why a 19 year old will stay a bit closer to family also. He is used to playing on the smaller ice surface, so that shouldn't be a big concern when he comes over. His skating, and especially lateral movement, is the thing he needs to work the most on, and it makes sense that a bigger ice surface will help there.

 

[13to40]

It's still too early to him to be at NA. He was at Swedish 2nd level at last season. Before that he was at juniors. Now he will be at Top Men's level. Then to AHL, to conquer the NA sized rink.

The path is pretty clear.

I don’t think it’s too early as he seems closer to ready than not.

I think the issue of him being in NA is more about the logjam of prospects we have in GR right now blocking him from getting top line minutes.

The positive about having him in GR is that he’s closer to the team and to the bulk of the red wing scouts.

I always preferred him going back to Sweden and getting top line minutes. Let him become “the guy” on whatever team he plays and let him work on the areas of the game he needs to improve on.

Next year he can come to NA and either make the Wings or play for GR when Mazur, Kasper and maybe Danielson graduate.

 

[Webster]

Play in a development league far from home, ride a bus, and have slim odds to play for the parent club OR play in the top league in Europe, in front of (relatively) a larger more passionate crowd, where the objective is winning first, then development, where a top 6 role is a near lock and you are closer to home. It's a no brainer.

Funnier yet, with all the hand wringing going on here, that was the common sentiment by all the experts BEFORE and DURING camp. I see it again and again (accept for here) in most any search on the guy. Heck, I was looking for a salary comparison (AHL to SHL) for the guy and still ran across Malik and others saying how the better path is the SHL, the expected path is the SHL and the contracted path is the...... class!?


What is the pay differential? That I couldn't find. LOL

michael brandsegg-nygård skellefteå aik contract details - Google Suche

Passionate crowd...well

Oct 24th his Skellefteå will face Färjestad, where he'll find his buddy Stian Solberg, the 1st round pick who's known for hitting everything that moves. "If he tries to smoke me I'll definitely fight him", MBN said with excitement in his voice.

I'm sure the Swedish audience will enjoy that. Normally you don't see a lot of fights in the SHL

Rather than this episode being a hurricane force tempest in a teapot and harbinger of future problems, the honest communication between the two sides and MBN being able to make his own decision seems like the best possible way to have handled the whole thing. There will be no repercussions.

Who knows, maybe the GM liked MBN's determination. Not many prospects would have the balls to tell Yzerman how it's done.

 

[OldnotDeadWings]

Who knows, maybe the GM liked MBN's determination. Not many prospects would have the balls to tell Yzerman how it's done.

You never know, though I think it's more accurate to portray MBN's position as "how I would like it done in my case," For sure though it took some balls and that's hardly a bad thing.

 

[RRhoads]

I think some of the comments that MBN has made should be taken lightly. I don't remember who on the team said it, but he called MBN the funniest guy he has met, or something along those lines.

 

[lilidk]

More interesting stuff coming out of that meeting. Sounds like Yzerman thinks MBN is close to being NHL ready, and that's why he wanted to keep him in GR. If he played well there was a chance he could be called up this season already. Most players would be thrilled if they could grab such a chance.

So I'd say MBN made a mistake. Instead of listening to his boss, he listened to his Swedish agent. You may wonder how much Skellefteå paid this agent...

MBN is not ahead of Mazur, Danielson or even Soderblom

 

[jkutswings]

You guys have it all wrong. MBN hooked up with Prince Fielder’s wife so Yzerman had to send him back to the SHL (which is a subjectively worse league than the AHL) instead of GR.

Walman reported it to Yzerman which is why he got traded. The future considerations for San Jose are Doug Fister.

You're really close. I'm surprised you were willing to reveal that much insider information, but there's one key piece that isn't quite right, which will blast this controversy into another stratosphere altogether:

MBN was actually sent to the SLHL.
As in, the Saint Lucia Hockey League.

But hey, at least he'll be the best winter athlete in the Caribbean since Cool Runnings.

 

[Oddbob]

It's not an opinion that the shl is a better league than the AHL. The SHL is on par or slightly lower than the khl. The AHL is below both.

@Frk It answered this precisely. This is written exactly as an opinion.

 

[Oddbob]

Holy mother of glad I missed it.

MBN had already signed his SHL deal. He was over on loan. The intent was he would go back, with the option to stay being his alone. The link to the comments by Berggren are spot on about development, league and player mindset. My summary post about development is impeccably crafted and offers insight well beyond most expert analysis you will find on the NHL Network.

In GR he is behind Marco and Nate. He made the right call.

NOW, my inside sources tell me Yzerman is PISSED at Berggren for providing such sound advise.

What did Berggren say?

 

[newfy]

He is ready for the NHL when he is ready. Why are you obsessed about rushing him? Playing in the SHL vs. the AHL will have no impact on his NHL timeline. If you are expecting him in the NHL next year, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. It is a possibility, but not the most likely outcome.

This is where I disagree. Playing in the SHL could absolutely impact his timeline. I'm not too concerned either way because he has 3 forwards ahead of him right now in GR already.

But he could go to Sweden and end up seeing no PP time, or after a few bad games be demoted in the lineup. If he goes this season playing 12 minutes a game you don't think it will impact him?

He's never actually ever played in the SHL. Its not a development league like people are saying and winning matters. They don't care about developing a red wings prospect. All of it likely wont matter, but saying there's no risk giving away control of the kids development is wrong as well.

 

[Pavels Dog]

This is where I disagree. Playing in the SHL could absolutely impact his timeline. I'm not too concerned either way because he has 3 forwards ahead of him right now in GR already.

But he could go to Sweden and end up seeing no PP time, or after a few bad games be demoted in the lineup. If he goes this season playing 12 minutes a game you don't think it will impact him?

He's never actually ever played in the SHL. Its not a development league like people are saying and winning matters. They don't care about developing a red wings prospect. All of it likely wont matter, but saying there's no risk giving away control of the kids development is wrong as well.

He was on the top line and top PP in preseason so pretty unlikely he'd be demoted unless he absolutely stinks it up for a while.
If that happens, he could always do a Dvorsky and just leave.

And make no mistake; GR does not automatically give top icetime to prospects over veterans.

 

[19 for president]

As long as he gets minutes in the SEL this isn't a big deal. If he gets demoted to the 4th line, see no PP time, and ends up demoted to the 2nd league then this wasn't a great choice.

With that said I typically think players develop more offensively in the SEL than in the AHL. The AHL is great for physical development but isn't the most creative league. MBN isn't a guy that needs a lot of physical development, and he also already players more of an NA style game. I don't think going back to the SEL will necessarily impact his timeline as long as he gets ice time over there.

I think its important for a young guy to also do what is right for him mentally. He just may not have been ready to be that far from home for the entire year. He was likely going to be behind Nate and Kasper for callups, and if the Wings make it 3 deep in their top 9 then we are probably getting destroyed at the NHL level. Probably not the best situation for a young guy.

 

[heyfolks]

What did Berggren say?

“It’s not about the ice size, really at all,” Berggren said. “You get used to that quickly, it’s the other things, and I talked to (Brandsegg-Nygård) a bit before he went back home.”

Berggren said there are advantages of playing in the AHL, but the atmosphere and culture are completely different than in Sweden. In the AHL, the Grand Rapids Griffins main job is to develop for the Red Wings, winning is secondary. In the SHL, Skellefteå’s job is to try and win league titles, development comes secondary.

***********************************************************

As Berggren put it, Skellefteå winning or losing can impact the attitude of everyone in town.

So for a player, trying to grow and develop a “winning” mentality, the SHL makes sense. Brandsegg-Nygård won’t be gifted ice time and he’ll have to earn his opportunities, while in Grand Rapids part of the plan would be to put him in top roles win or lose.

It's not just about the size of the ice

A look at Michael Brandsegg-Nygård's decision and comparing the AHL and SHL when it comes to development.

www.shapshotshockey.com

 

[heyfolks]

As an observation, we Wing fanatics REALLY need tomorrow evening to get here!

I just can't believe this is at all controversial. The plan to go back was laid out not from day 1 of camp, bu from day 1 of the decision to being him to camp. He didn't sign in Sweden w/o the Wings knowledge. He IS under contract and he was allowed to come to camp. I can't recall a single discussion around this guy making the Wings roster. With Kasper in front of him and a repeat championship opportunity in Sweden (along with a commitment to the team, and likley mental focus in that direction) the decision for MBN was not a decision at all.... STICK WITH THE AGREED UPON BY ALL PLAN.

What changed?

Assumptively, the Wings brass original skill assessment was below his actual level of play(A pleasant change from the last decade before SY). With this in mind, the developmental homework for Sweden turned into a smaller list of items, than the list they could bring forward in GR. The Wings suggested altering the plan. MBN thought to HONOR HIS CONTRACT.

A NO LOSE situation for ALL involved.

Now, for all that is good, please try and diconnect form this topic. I suggest a search for the Australia Olympic break dancing 2024 olympic highlights. If you don't laugh at that hhhmmmmmm Chris Rock Bigger and Blacker or anything Chappelle. If THAT doesn't work Mitch Heldberg (Donut, 3 way light, etc).

REJOICE WINGS FANS - Why? this guy is going to rival Celebrini for the best player picked in the 24 draft.

 

[LongTimeDRWF]

This is where I disagree. Playing in the SHL could absolutely impact his timeline. I'm not too concerned either way because he has 3 forwards ahead of him right now in GR already.

But he could go to Sweden and end up seeing no PP time, or after a few bad games be demoted in the lineup. If he goes this season playing 12 minutes a game you don't think it will impact him?

He's never actually ever played in the SHL. Its not a development league like people are saying and winning matters. They don't care about developing a red wings prospect. All of it likely wont matter, but saying there's no risk giving away control of the kids development is wrong as well.

True, but if he falls down the SHL lineup, I am sure they would be open to releasing him to go to North America if winning is their only goal and they don't see him contributing to that.

If they let him go, he is under his ELC with the wings, then bring him over.

I am sure they will be giving him lots leeway, but there are options if they don't.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

This is where I disagree. Playing in the SHL could absolutely impact his timeline. I'm not too concerned either way because he has 3 forwards ahead of him right now in GR already.

But he could go to Sweden and end up seeing no PP time, or after a few bad games be demoted in the lineup. If he goes this season playing 12 minutes a game you don't think it will impact him?

He's never actually ever played in the SHL. Its not a development league like people are saying and winning matters. They don't care about developing a red wings prospect. All of it likely wont matter, but saying there's no risk giving away control of the kids development is wrong as well.

To that I would reply that if he can't carve out more than 12 minutes a night in the SHL, he isn't nearly as close to the NHL as we think he is. I agree though generally that we have more control over his ice time in GR than the SHL. He is still, however, going to need to earn his ice time even in GR.

 

[RED WINGS STOMP]

I do believe he is closer to the NHL than he realizes. Marco is expected to be the first call up and then will stick. So I get that.

Say Rass does his typical late Feb injury again? Who better to replace him in the lineup?

 

[jaster]

How do you know the truth? I'll trust what journalists both over here and in Sweden are reporting, I doubt their tweets are garbage...

I have a casual connection with the Wings whom I saw Sunday night. We talked about a few Wings-related things, coincidentally including the MBN situation. He told me about the meeting and how Yzerman wanted him to play in GR, but MBN wanted to go back to Sweden. It's why I was the first one to post anything about the Wings desire to keep him in NA on Monday morning (post # 671). He also made it pretty clear it was an amicable situation, and neither side "pissed off" the other side, as was "reported" on the interwebs.

I don't care to look back at who tweeted exactly what, but A) most of the tweets I saw on this subject were not from journalists but from bloggers/randos with Twitter followings, or just nobodies whatsoever, and B) if any journalists did report there was drama between Yzerman and MBN, then you shouldn't trust them, because they're clearly just looking for clicks.