Draft Day One Notes and Observations
On Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, Michael Hage's fit in Montreal, and pick swaps from the first day of the 2024 NHL Draft
Day one of the 2024 NHL Draft from the Sphere in Las Vegas is done, so before the rest of the draft gets rolling today, let's take a moment to revisit some highlights from day one.
Wings Get Their Guy in Brandsegg-Nygård
When pick 15 arrived, thanks to some dark horse candidates earlier in the day, the Red Wings had a nice array of options with its first selection of the '24 Draft. Instead of taking a swing on a high upside offensive producer like Cole Eiserman, Detroit GM Steve Yzerman went with Norwegian winger Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, who became the first player taken in the first round from Norway.
Selecting Brandsegg-Nygård at 15 was no 'Moritz Seider at six in 2019'-style surprise. Instead, many draftniks mocked MBN to Detroit, because of the way Brandsegg-Nygård's profile many of Yzerman's predilections for forwards. He is reputed to be an elite competitor and forechecker, whose calling card is more 200-foot responsibility than his prospective point production ceiling. With that said, a high-end shot means that Brandsegg-Nygård has plenty of offensive upside. It's going to take some time for him to get "NHL ready" (realistically another season or two in Europe, then one or two in Grand Rapids), but his profile should shorten his path to an NHL roster spot as he draws toward the conclusion of his development arc.
“Big, strong young man,” Yzerman said of Brandsegg-Nygard. “Physically developed, can really shoot the puck. He’s a really good two-way player, a goal-scoring winger, who obviously fills a void in our prospect pool...When he’s not scoring, he’ll still be an effective player. I just think he’s a guy who can play in all situations. Probably play either wing, a lot of different spots on the power play as well.”
Before the draft, Yzerman said, "That 15th pick, that's still a pretty high pick. It's important that we get a good player. It's important that honestly we get a player that plays for us in the NHL [eventually]. We need that. It's not as simple as we all think or as automatic as we all like to think it is. When you're picking high, you wanna make sure that you get a good prospect, regardless of the position. I think over the course of each draft, you have to really start thinking about...how many prospects you have at each position, because ultimately, when they turn pro, you've got to find a spot for them to play."
It's an explanation that comports with the player he ultimately selected. Brandsegg-Nygård arguably jumps immediately to the top of Detroit's prospect rankings along the wing (not necessarily in terms of his distance from NHL minutes right not but rather overall upside), and his game mirrors the exact style the Red Wings want to play.
With this selection, Yzerman is doubling down on the idea that the team he is building won't try to boat race opponents 7-6 and 6-5. Instead, he wants a physical, aggressive, forechecking squad, not dissimilar to the Panthers outfit that just lifted the Cup. There are lots of ways to evaluate a draft pick, but in terms of fit, it could hardly get better for Detroit than Brandsegg-Nygård.
Hage Finds Comfortable Fit in Montreal
Speaking of fit, it looks like Michael Hage—last of the Chicago Steel, soon of the University of Michigan—arrived at an ideal one when he was taken 21st overall to the Montreal Canadiens.
Hage was among the high-end offensive prospects Yzerman could have taken at 15 but instead slipped just a bit further to 21. For sentimental reasons, it's a perfect fit, with Hage having grown up a Canadiens fan, thanks to his father's passion for the Habs of yore, stars like Maurice Richard. With Quebecois parents, he speaks fluent French. Hage's father also passed away in a tragic accident a year ago, but he will now have the chance to represent the club he grew up cheering for, because of his old man.
For hockey reasons too, it's easy to be excited about the fit between Hage and Montreal. Because of coach Martin St. Louis' unique approach to player development, it feels as though the Habs are the best possible option for any young forward, whether a prospect or a change-of-scenery trade project. That applies to a draftee like Ivan Demidov (whom Montreal selected with the fifth overall pick) or trade candidates like Trevor Zegras, Kappo Kakko, Martin Necas, or Patrik Laine.
It's hard to imagine a better path toward turning pro for a gifted young attacking player than the one Hage will take from Michigan—under the tutelage of Brandon Naurato—to Montreal and St. Louis. An injury derailed 2022-23 season slowed some of Hage's draft momentum, but his path forward makes him a great bet to be back on a high-end trajectory ASAP, if he isn't already.
Trades...But Not the Fun Kind
There were plenty of trades during last night's round one, but, unfortunately from an entertainment perspective, they weren't the fun kind—lots of pick swaps with no roster players moved.
There was one NHL roster player traded on day one of the draft, and that came hours before the draft floor arrived, when the Columbus Blue Jackets sent Alexandre Texier to St. Louis for a fourth round pick.
With respect to one of the faces of French (from France, not Quebecois) hockey, it wasn't exactly a blockbuster, but it was at least a bit interesting to see the Blues as buyers. St. Louis is currently one of the teams whose direction I find most confusing. Do they perceive themselves as a rebuilder? A contender? Somewhere in between?
If the Blues do elect to tear it down and sell off their top players, there are a number of enticing options at a variety of different prices. However, this deal suggests that GM Doug Armstrong isn't interested in stripping his roster down for parts, at least not entirely. Hopefully, day two of the draft will bring some higher profile player movement in addition to the draft choices.
Also from THN Detroit
