After dominating the preseason, MBN was sent down to the AHL after recording only one point through his first nine NHL games. It wasn’t a huge surprise at the time, goal scorers like MBN need to see the puck go in to keep their confidence, and it wasn’t happening at the NHL level. After what continues to be great stint in Grand Rapids, it might be time to return to Detroit.

Fortunately for MBN, the climate right now on Detroit’s current roster is perfect for a player like him to come in and win a spot.

AHL Stats:

Games Played: 28

Goals: 8

Assists: 13

Points: 21

+/- : 17

PIM: 16

Michael Brandsegg-Nygård Has Come a Long Way:

For his first season on American ice, Brandsegg-Nygård has impressed me a lot. I will say, this isn’t even my first time asking for MBN back. I think he should have been here for a while now. Through 28 games in Grand Rapids, he has recorded 21 points. In that, he scored 8 goals.

His game has always gone beyond just what is on the stat sheet. He makes life hell, and that matters too. He showed that at the NHL level, I just think the team wanted to see more production from him. Currently, he’s fourth in points on the best team in the AHL. That includes missing some games due to his time in the NHL. He’s been great, and it seems as though he has adjusted to the American game and found his offence.

It can be hard to gauge what AHL production will translate to at the NHL level. Sometimes a player is great in the AHL and becomes great in the NHL, but sometimes players can’t take that next step. That’s not even close to a concern of mine when it comes to Brandsegg-Nygård. His game will tras

The Lineup has Opened Up:

For the first few weeks of the season with MBN up, there was some pretty clear teammates that coach Todd McClellan wanted to keep together. Namely, Lucas Raymond would always play on Dylan Larkin’s right wing, and Patrick Kane would always play across from DeBrincat.

The line blender has come out for Detroit. There are spots all over the lineup to be won, and MBN could have a pretty solid shot to grab a good one. I look at the top line with Dylan Larkin, Marco Kasper, and Emmitt Finnie. Dylan Larkin has been producing on the power play but not at even strength (at least not without the empty net) with those two. Brandsegg-Nygård could slip onto the top line right wing beside Dylan Larkin, and whichever left wing they deem the best fit.

Beyond that, though, the depth has got their act together, and they would be good to play with too. Rasmussen, Compher, Van Riemsdyk, and Appleton have all caught stride in Detroit. While MBN was up, the veterans he was playing with weren’t doing much. Since December, they all look much better. If Brandsegg-Nygård is to come up, he would be playing with a far more competent group of the same players.

Saving the Cost of a Trade:

With the news that Kiefer Sherwood has drawn interest from the Red Wings, I think it might be worth giving MBN another shot in the lineup before making a deal. In a lot of ways, Sherwood is just like MBN. Big hitters who can score in bunches and play an ultra-competitive game.

Why risk the assets to grab a guy like Sherwood when you can home-grow one for free? Brandsegg-Nygård could easily come up and fill the same role that Sherwood does, and you wouldn’t be giving up a first-round pick.

Now, I understand that even if he comes up, Brandsegg-Nygård won’t become a near thirty-goal scorer this season. Especially if Detroit wants to get deep in the postseason, Sherwood is definitely a good addition. I would be happy either way. I think this team needs some more bite to them. It’s something we talked about with Trevor Thompson on our most recent podcast episode. Brandsegg-Nygård brings that in spades, and he’s much less of a risk to try in this lineup than a guy like Kiefer Sherwood is.

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