LAS VEGAS — The Detroit Purple Wings added a little bit of offensive potential to the group on Friday evening as they chose ahead Michael Brandsegg-Nygård of Norway with the fifteenth general decide within the first spherical of the 2024 NHL draft.
Brandsegg-Nygård is the primary Norwegian chosen within the first spherical of the NHL draft. The native of Oslo has been taking part in in Sweden’s second league and is earmarked to spend the 2024-25 season with Skellefteå within the top-rated Swedish Hockey League. There, he’ll be teammates with fellow Purple Wings prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka. Brandsegg-Nygård, 18, is already 6 toes 1 and 207 kilos. He shoots proper, which is all the time in demand. He is identified for being a tough employee, and often strives to be a difference-maker.
Brandsegg-Nygård registered eight targets and 10 assists for Mora in HockeyAllsvensken in 2023-24. He has a greater scoring contact than his stats recommend, although and he is the kind of participant whose efforts might not essentially present up on a scoring sheet, in the way in which he works down low and has a hand in creating offensive alternatives.
REACTION:Purple Wings draft decide of Michael Brandsegg-Nygård ripped by ESPN host John Buccigross
The occasion was held at Sphere, the 18,600-seat auditorium marketed for its immersive video and audio capabilities. It is the final time groups will all be below the identical roof for a draft, as subsequent yr the NHL will transfer to a decentralized mannequin to permit for distant participation.
It’s additionally the third straight draft through which basic supervisor Steve Yzerman has chosen a ahead within the first spherical, following the picks of Marco Kasper at No. 8 in 2022 and Nate Danielson at No. 9 in 2023. Kasper made his NHL debut with a lone recreation within the 2022-23 season. Kasper spent final season with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL, posting 14 targets and 21 assists in 71 video games, whereas Danielson spent his age-19 season in juniors, scoring 12 targets and including 19 assists in 28 video games with the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL.
THE BIG PICTURE:2024 NHL draft presents probability for Purple Wings to enhance staff now and in future
Boston College’s Macklin Celebrini was the No. 1 general decide Friday evening in Las Vegas, chosen by the San Jose Sharks earlier Friday evening. Celebrini was adopted by Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov at No. 2 to the Chicago Blackhawks. The state of Michigan positioned one other participant within the high 10 when Saginaw Spirit defenseman Zayne Parekh was chosen by the Calgary Flames with the No. 9 general decide.
The NHL draft continues at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, with the Purple Wings possessing seven further draft picks: Nos. 47, 80, 126, 144, 176, 203 and 208.
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Observe her on Twitter @helenestjames. Her newest guide, “On the Clock: Behind the Scenes with the Detroit Purple Wings on the NHL Draft,” is obtainable from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Triumph Books. Customized copies accessible by way of her e-mail.
Learn extra on the Detroit Purple Wings and join our Purple Wings e-newsletter.