The Daily: Norwegian May Get Games in GR; Mastrosimone Signs

A leopard doesn’t change his spots, a lion doesn’t become a vegan and Detroit GM Steve Yzerman isn’t about to start holding roster spots for young prospects to make his team.

Even Moritz Seider played a season in Grand Rapids and was a top notch performer in the Swedish Hockey League  before he joined the Detroit lineup. Lucas Raymond played 77 games in the Swedish Hockey League before he came over, and only made the team because he kept scoring in training camp and the preseason.

Marco Kasper was the team’s first-round pick in 2022 and there is no guarantee he will be on Detroit’s Opening Day roster.

But Yzerman may be tweaking his script a bit in the case of this year’s first round pick Norwegian Michael Brandsegg-Nygard. No, Yzerman isn’t holding a roster for him or saying he will play in the NHL this season.

But Brandsegg-Nygard told a European website that the Red Wings want him at training camp and have talked to him about him playing some games in Grand Rapids. It just sounds as if, they want to see him up close and personal, maybe just to see where he is at compared to their other prospects.

Even if he played some games with the Griffins, he could go back to Sweden to play in Skelleftea.  Detroit defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka plays for that team.  That was Brandsegg-Nygard’s original plan. That’s likely where he will play this season.

Witnessing history as Michael Brandsegg-Nygard is the first ever Norwegian born player to be selected in the first round! 🇳🇴👀

🎥 via @BR_OpenIce

pic.twitter.com/GirYQgBWp2

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 29, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Grand Rapids defenseman Radim Simek turned down an opportunity to stay with the Red Wings organization. Bob Duff has the story.

Vladimir Tarasenko will add some bulk to Detroit’s forward group. He’s a 220-pound forward.

Now it’s Anton Johansson‘s turn to rise up on the Red Wings’ prospect list.

Paywall story: Michigan State teammates sometimes call goalie Trey Augustine “Gramps” because he shuffles around the arena like an oldtimer. His game does have a maturity beyond his years, but officially he is one of Detroit’s hottest young prospects.  To subscribe, click here. To receive a $10 discount on a year subscription, use the promo code Bob10.

Red Wings Offseason

Former Detroit draft pick Robert Mastrosimone re-signed with the Toronto Marlies on an AHL contract. The Red Wings drafted Mastrosimone in the second round, but didn’t sign him to an NHL contract.

The American left wing generated four goals and 15 points in 45 games.

Hearing that the Toronto Marlies have re-signed Robert Mastrosimone to an AHL contract.

The 23-year-old recorded stellar underlying numbers in a bottom-six role as a rookie.

Mastrosimone was drafted 54th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in 2019. DET opted not to sign him. pic.twitter.com/nydLYa8dSZ

— Jacob Stoller (@JLStoller) July 23, 2024

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Andrew Fantuccio writes about the deals Boston general manager Don Sweeney didn’t make.  Boston Bruins.

Colorado: Evan Rawal looks at 2024-25 being a make or break season for  some Colorado prospects. Colorado Avalanche. 

Philadelphia: Now that Matvei Michkov is here, where does he fit in the Philadelphia Flyers lineup.

Pittsburgh: Kevin Hayes is searching for a role on the Pittsburgh Penguins. He is using the trade as motivation. Pittsburgh Penguins.

San Jose: Sheng Peng offers his take on what to expect from Macklin Celebrini in his first NHL season. San Jose Sharks