With the 2024 NHL Draft on the horizon, the New Jersey Devils hold the tenth overall pick. If they don’t trade it away in exchange for a goaltender—which they desperately need—they have multiple options to choose from.
Names like Konsta Helenius and Beckett Sennecke have pondered around New Jersey’s pick; however, an underrated prospect named Michael Brandsegg-Nygård would be a Cinderella-slipper type, fit with them.
The Norwegian right wing's measurements read as 6'1 and 198 lbs. He would bring size to the Devils offense- something they lack. Scott Wheeler of The Athletic mentioned the importance of Brandsegg-Nygård’s size in his scouting report, stating that "he’s not a dynamic individual play creator, but he’s got pro size, he works extremely hard and engages himself in the play, he plays well off of his linemates, and he’s got good all-around skill. He also plays the game with a physical tilt even against pros, constantly engaging in battles and keeping his effort level ramped up."
Brandsegg-Nygård played for Mora IK of the Hockey Allsvenskan league in Sweden last season. With Mora IK, Brandsegg-Nygård mounted eight goals and ten assists through 41 games, good for 18 points. Next season, the 18-year-old is set to play for Skellefteå of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).
With the Norwegian national team at the 2023 World Junior Championships, Brandsegg-Nygård netted three goals and two assists in five games. So far in the IIHF World Championship - against some of the globe's top talent - he has scored two goals, one against Switzerland and one against Denmark - which resulted in a win.
While Brandsegg-Nygård’s stats don’t jump off of the sheet, his size and playmaking ability should be enough for Tom Fitzgerald to at least glance over the Norwegian’s game and could possibly even spiral into him, giving the prospect a call come draft time.