Why the Red Wings Need Brandsegg-Nygard Back Now

Oh boy, has this losing streak made a lot of things clear. Put blame where you want to, but Detroit has looked noticeably worse over the much easier month of November; incidentally, that’s about the time Brandsegg-Nygard went down. After being sent down to the Grand Rapids Griffins to adjust to the NHL ice, MBN has been stellar. Although the Griffins are playing like they want to get promoted to the NHL, MBN’s 11 points in 13 games have made him a serious contributor. I’m going to give you all the numbers, lines, and reasons the Red Wings need Brandsegg-Nygard back right away.

With MBN vs. Without MBN

Record:

With Brandsegg-Nygard: 6-3-0

Without Brandsegg-Nygard: 7-8-2

Game to Game:

Games where you out-hit opponents with MBN (9GP): 5, 55.6%

Games where you out-hit opponents without MBN (17GP): 4, 23.5%

Games where you scored four or more with MBN (9GP): 4, 44.4%

Games where you scored four or more without MBN (17GP): 6, 35.3%

Games where Detroit had a positive CF% with MBN (9GP): 6, 66.7%

Games where Detroit had a positive CF% without MBN (17GP): 11, 64.7%

Games Detroit was supposed to outscore opponents with MBN (9GP): 6, 66.7%

Games Detroit was supposed to outscore opponents without MBN (17GP): 11, 64.7%

I don’t want this to feel like I’m nitpicking these numbers. I genuinely tried to get a bit of everything MBN would contribute to. They’re better analytically in pretty much every way with MBN. I understand Detroit was playing with more energy through those first games, but I don’t think any Red Wings fan can honestly say that MBN wasn’t part of the reason they were bringing that energy.

MBN Will Come Back Much Improved:

It’s not like this is the same MBN in the same position. Kasper, Soderblom, Appleton, and Van Riemsdyk aren’t exactly delivering as promised, and barring Rasmussen’s really good past week, he hasn’t been great either. Brandsegg-Nygard, seeing the puck go in and getting his confidence back, should help him start getting some points on the board. Not to mention, he would be playing alongside Nate Danielson and Marco Kasper, forming one of the most aggressive and energetic kid lines in the NHL.

No Harm, No Foul:

If there is ever a time to do it, it’s right now. Detroit is with an injured Appleton on the right wing, riding a four-game losing streak and the worst shooting percentage in the NHL. What is the harm of bringing MBN back up? He’s shown in the AHL that he can fix a lot of those problems and do it in a physical way that the Red Wings so badly need. At the very least, with Appleton out, Brandsegg-Nygard deserves a look back in this roster.

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