Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings Notebook: Brandsegg-Nygard Preferred SHL Over AHL
Watson assigned to AHL Griffins
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard confirmed to a Swedish podcast that he and the Detroit Red Wings had a disagreement about where he should play this season.
The Norwegian forward wanted to play in Swedish Hockey League and the Red Wings wanted him playing in North America. Brandsegg-Nygard didn’t give in. He will play for Skelleftea AIK, where 2023 first rounder Axel Sandin Pellikka is also playing.
Sounds like Detroit 'really' wanted Michael Brandsegg-Nygård in AHL.
MBN talks (on norwegian hockey pod TV 2 Hockeyprat) about what sounds like a fairly tense meeting with Wings brass where he & agent stood their ground on a return to SHL. https://t.co/PwtlbdzAuo
— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) October 7, 2024
“They said that they would like to have me in the AHL and Grand Rapids,” Brandsegg-Nygard told TV2’s podcast Hockeyprat. “For me, it felt better to play in the SHL and instead come back next year, possibly. Skelleftea won (the SHL championship last year and they have pretty much the same team. So it would (be) fun to maybe experience winning.”
Brandsegg-Nygard seems more physically mature than most players his age. He boasts a hard shot and quick release. Undoubtedly, the Red Wings believe Brandsegg-Nygard is ready for the North American pro game.
“(Sweden) is a better path for me,” Brandsegg-Nygard said.
The mere fact that the Red Wings brought him to training camp this season says they are intrigued by his potential. It was never likely he was going to make the Detroit roster, but just the idea that he had a chance was another indicator that he is more advanced than you would expect.
“I didn’t go to the camp thinking I was going to play in the NHL,” Brandsegg-Nygard said. “At the same time, there is small chance and you always have a small hope. But it was nothing. I expected a fun experience.”
Kasper Outlook
The Red Wings decided that Marco Kasper would be better served playing top-line minutes in Grand Rapids than battling for playing time in Detroit. He and several of the younger players had good training camps.
“Probably more Marco of all those young guys,” Coach Derek Lalonde said. “They all had really good camps, but Marco really stood out. There were some scenarios where he could have found himself in the Day One lineup, but we’re trying to maximize our roster and it’s not a bad thing for him to go straight down and be playing 22 minutes in every situation and be a simple call-up at any time.”
Max Plante Injured
Red Wings draft pick Max Plante (47th, 2024) produced two assists in his collegiate debut for Minnesota Duluth in a 4-3 loss to Bemidji State. But he also suffered an upper body injury that is expected to keep him sidelined for a while.
He suffered the injury late in the game when he checked into the boards on a power play. There’s been no information on what the injury is.
Watson Sent Down
Forward Austin Watson was assigned to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins on Tuesday after clearing NHL waicvers.
The Red Wings are going with their original roster player of carrying three goalies, eight defenseman and 12 forwards. Defenseman Justin Holl, who also cleared NHL waivers, will remain with the Red Wings.