The Case For Michael Brandsegg-Nygård
As we slowly creep closer to the NHL Draft, we will focus on players who should be in range for the San Jose Sharks pick at number 14. With the Sharks having all but selected Macklin Celebrini already, the focus on what to do at 14 is the real intrigue for Sharks fans.
Michael Brandsegg-Nygård
Forward
6'1" 198 pounds
Birthday: Oct 2005 (18)
Right-handed
The San Jose Sharks have recently added a lot of high-end talent to their forward group, with the additions of Will Smith, Quentin Musty, Kasper Halttunen, and (soon to be) Macklin Celebrini. Adding a line connector in Michael Brandsegg-Nygård makes a ton of sense as a complementary piece in the forward group. He is a monster forechecker and is one of the best defensive forwards in the entire 2024 NHL Draft class. If you like grown man hockey, Brandsegg-Nygård is your guy.
Two minutes of Michael Brandsegg-Nygård breaking up plays on the forecheck, hustling for loose pucks, winning body positioning, and running over grown men like it's nothing.
— Lassi Alanen (@lassialanen) May 14, 2024
The best forechecker in the draft. #2024NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/CGOJkZaVha
Brandsegg-Nygård isn't just a murder child either and is extremely skilled as well. He is also a great skater as well and has an absolute cannon of a shot.
Just some Michael Brandsegg-Nygård goals.#2024NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/JmmHh6rSds
— 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀 Faber 🔥 (@ChrisFaber39) August 21, 2023
If you are worried about Will Smith's defensive abilities, Brandsegg-Nygård could be the pick for the Sharks and just staple him to Smith's wing. Brandsegg-Nygård could help emulate what former Boston College linemate, Ryan Leonard, does by being a forechecking monster with a motor that doesn't quit combined with a high end scoring ability. Pair those two with an insane shooter like Kasper Halttunen and you've got the makings of a line that has complementary yet diverse skill sets.
While there are other players in this range that might have a higher ceiling than Brandsegg-Nygård, you can argue the floor is too good to pass up. At worst, he is going to be a highly skilled third line winger who has the makings of an ace penalty killer. At best, he is a high end complementary player who is going to help cover issues from his linemates and make everyone on the ice better when he plays.
Brandsegg-Nygård feels like one of the safest bets in the draft because of his physicality, motor, his ability to adapt to whatever situation he is asked to perform. If he's available at 14, Mike Grier might not be able to pass on the Norwegian version of Ryan Leonard.