| Michael Brandsegg-Nygard | Mora IK | SHL | R | C | 6’1″ | 189 | Oslo, NOR | 2005 | 2023-2024: A- |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Brandsegg-Nygard is a draft-eligible Norwegian with a big frame, powerful stride, and good motor. He flies up and down the ice with a long powerful stride and is able to accelerate to top speeds quickly. He has a good motor which he uses to apply pressure on the forecheck. He got in opponents grills and took away their space to help force mistakes in all three zones. He finished checks occasionally but we would like to see him use his size to impose himself physically. Neutral Zone thinks that his forechecking ability is going to need to be one of the focus points of his play style to continue at higher levels and if he can turn that motor up another notch and make himself difficult to play against, he will greatly improve his chances of becoming a valuable middle six forward. He needs to get mean and finish his checks with intention. We caught him puck watching a bit in the defensive zone and would like to see him show a bit more effort on that end of the ice, but he was still involved and able to close off lanes with good positioning. Hard to judge his offensive game off this one viewing because he did not get too many touches. There were flashes of good playmaking potential, but he needs to calm his game down. There were moments where he was composed under pressure and able to execute high IQ passes to move play up ice and avoid opponents. There were also a large number of times where he rushed his decisions and forced bad plays rather than settle play down for the best option. He threw quick passes to covered teammates or fired low percentage shots into traffic when he had more time than he must have realized. Michael was able to score a great goal to open the scoring for his team. He trailed on the zone entry and slipped into space above the circle to support his teammate. The puck was dropped back to him, and Michael took a step into the high slot and ripped a quick release laser, beating the goalie glove high. It was a very impressive shot, showing off great form and some deception with a very quick release that caught the goalie off guard. I have a feeling this was not his best performance and we want to check back in on him soon. He showed off some flashes of real talent and a good motor to go along. I’d like to see Brandsegg-Nygard get a bit more physical when entering battles and to relax with the puck on his stick to seek out better opportunities.
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