Red Wings Rookie Michael Brandsegg-Nygård Making Early Calder Trophy Noise

Through 12 games of the Detroit Red Wings' season, a few players have broken out in a big way, and none more so than rookie Michael Brandsegg-Nygård. The 15th overall pick in 2024 has impressed in his first extended run at the NHL level, recording two goals and six assists for eight points in 12 games. 

His counting stats beyond scoring are just as strong with his 54 hits ranking sixth in the NHL, and his five takeaways are tied with Lucas Raymond and Emmitt Finnie for second on the team. The underlying numbers also look good, with 13 high-danger shots on net, twice the league average and good for the 92nd percentile.

His play has pushed the Norwegian winger into the top eight of the Calder Trophy betting odds on BetMGM. Toronto Maple Leafs winger and recent first overall pick Gavin McKenna leads the pack at +270, even though he is tied with Brandsegg-Nygård at eight points and has played two more games. 

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Not far behind is Montreal's Jacob Fowler at +425. Fowler has broken out as the Canadiens' lead goaltender, going 6-1-0 with a 1.54 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage through seven games.

Brandsegg-Nygård sits at +1300 and trails other rookies like San Jose's Ivar Stenberg, Washington's Cole Hutson, Chicago's Roman Kantserov, Vegas' Trevor Connolly and Boston's James Hagens. 

He is ahead of several other elite rookies, however, including Chicago's Anton Frondell, Philadelphia's Porter Martone, who was among the preseason favorites, New York's Dylan Garand and Winnipeg's Viggo Bjorck.

It's safe to say the 21-year-old's start has been noticed, and the hope in Detroit is that he can keep it going all season long.

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