It has been a stated goal of Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman for his team to be harder to play against.
Last season, they didn't do nearly enough of that - especially in terms of their penalty killing and overall team defense.
One player that Yzerman is banking on being a long-term solution to that issue is Norwegian-born forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, their first round selection (15th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Brandsegg-Nygård scored five goals with six assists in 42 games played with the SHL's Skellefteå AIK last season, and also got in some time with the Grand Rapids Griffins, skating in two regular season games and another three games in the Calder Cup Playoffs.
The more physical North American-style game is far more suited to how the 6'1", 198 lb. Brandsegg-Nygård likes to play.
"Tough season, I wasn't too happy about it, but I learned a lot from it and (mostly) just to keep going," Brandsegg-Nygård said of his lower offensive numbers. "I'm not used to not getting as many points as you really want. The team (Skelleftea) didn't have a great season, so pretty tough. (You) feel like you don't help them enough and you feel like you're losing every game.
"You learn from it and get stronger in your mind."
Getting the chance to experienced professional postseason hockey with the Griffins is going to give him an edge moving forward as he aims to boost his numbers in Grand Rapids this upcoming season.
"It was a great experience to see the type of hockey," Brandsegg-Nygård said. "It's a fun hockey to play, a different hockey. I feel like you have to keep your speed all the way. That was a big difference for me. You're so much closer to the net, too, so you feel like you could just shoot all over the place.
"I feel like the longer I was there, I got more comfortable and learned more, so hopefully I'll have a good season."
Ultimately, he's looking forward to one day donning the Winged Wheel and playing postseason hockey in the Motor City.
"My dream and my goal is to make the team (the Wings) and we'll see what happens," Brandsegg-Nygard said. "But I'm happy with GR too. I'll do my best to make the team one day.
