Michael Brandsegg-Nygard could be a prospect of interest for the St. Louis Blues when they pick 16th overall in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft
With the 2024 NHL Draft approaching, it's time to look at some prospects that may be available to the St. Louis Blues with their first round pick. Now, as reported by fellow St. Louis Site Editor Lou Korac, the team could move up or down with the pick. Or, trade the pick for a young roster player, or make the pick.
However, Since St. Louis still has hold of pick No. 16 in the NHL Entry Draft, we’re going to spend every day leading up to June 28, looking at prospects who may be available and of interest to Doug Armstrong and his scouting team.
Yesterday, we covered a top prospect out of the OHL, Liam Greentree. Today, we're looking at the next Norwegian star, right wing Michael Brandsegg-Nygard. THN's draft preview magazine ranked him the 16th best prospect in the draft, while THN's scouting expert Tony Ferrari had him as a high 6th.
Here’s what Ferrari had to say about the 6-foot-1, 200-pound forward, “Every time I have seen Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, I have appreciated what he brings to the game more. He has so many of the pro habits that you want from a player, whether it’s the intricacies of winning puck battles along the boards, where he needs to be defensively, or how to help cover for his teammates. He just plays with a maturity beyond his years.”
Brandsegg-Nygard played the majority of the year against men in the second-tier Swedish league HockeyAllsvenskan with Mora IK. He recorded eight goals and 18 points in 41 games and added another 10 points in 12 playoff games.
Some may look at his production and think that’s not good enough for a first round pick. But it’s important to remember that most first-time draft-eligible players don’t get the opportunity to play meaningful minutes in HockeyAllsvenskan or the SHL in Sweden.
Brandsegg-Nygard’s late Oct. 5, 2005 birthday certainly has him ahead in his development compared to his draft class peers.
Amongst the public scouting industry, everyone has similar thoughts on Brandsegg-Nygard’s play. EliteProspects said, “He bullied his opponents on most nights with his size.” While McKeen’s Hockey stated he’s a powerful, physically imposing player who works incredibly hard on and off the puck every night.
That kind of player will thrive in the St. Louis fanbase. Look at some fan favorites over the years for the Blues — Keith Tkachuk, Brett Hull, Ryan O’Reilly. They all share a similar trait, they have an appetite to engage themselves physically and always bring 110% effort to every game.
The 18-year-old Norwegian skates with power and possesses a powerful one-timer which can be utilized inside the left-side faceoff circle on the powerplay. His shot has to be considered another key strength in his game. He produces such strong weight transfer in his shots to power pucks past goaltenders and beat them upstairs.
Brandsegg-Nygard was at the NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo earlier this week and came in looking in great shape and a player whose physical maturity would have him not far along from competing at the NHL level.
Once again, the public scouts all appear to share the same question mark regarding Brandsegg-Nygard’s potential. How high is his offensive upside?
Creativity isn’t at the forefront of the Norwegian’s skillset. As per Tony Ferrari, “He isn’t a dynamic playmaker, but his ability to peel off the boards with the puck and find someone in pockets of space is excellent. He works the cycle as well or better than anyone in the NHL draft class.”
Brandsegg-Nygard is set to become the highest-drafted Norwegian player ever. Norway has never had a player from their country picked in the first round. He represented his country at the 2024 World Juniors and World Championships.
*No. 28 In Red and White
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Sadly, Norway was relegated at the World Juniors, but the mature, physical winger made his mark on scouts and had a fantastic tournament all things considered.
Brandsegg-Nygard’s NHL readiness could be enticing to teams picking before the Blues at No. 16 like New Jersey, Buffalo, Minnesota, or Detroit. All four of those teams want to get back into the dance and drafting a prospect who is possibly only 1-2 years away from being an NHL player would be of high interest, including St. Louis.
Last year, all three of the Blues’ first-rounders played their draft years over in Sweden. Don’t be surprised if Doug Armstrong goes back to that well. He can be considered a safe pick with a for-sure NHL future, even if it’s only as a depth energy player.
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