In Yzerman’s 6th draft as Red Wings GM, the Wings are picking at 15. It’s been a bit of a quandary to try and predict the first round selections and this year may be no different. Outside of the top 3, things seem wide open in some years. Central Scouting and European scouting have their own metrics and their own interests. Detroit has likely compiled their internal list of rankings by now. What you seem to hear from at least one or two teams each year is that a team saw their highly ranked player slip and were surprised to see the fall. Jim Nill, for example, had Edvinsson as the top ranked defenseman when Detroit drafted him. His fall to Detroit at #6 was a surprise to me as well.
There are a few variables that make picking an 18 year old that isn’t a consensus 1 or 2 difficult. First, some of them haven’t finished growing. Edvinsson sprouted 2 more inches after the draft. Second, work ethic in development. Hockey is a tough sport in terms of location. Billet families play a part in young hopefuls moving to a market where they hope to develop more. After the draft, you have the college and pro routes. It falls on the player to put on weight, do the off ice work and nutrition and try to rise to the level where an AHL then NHL opportunity opens up. One final component was clarified for me by a PhD who has helped mentor me over the past year (a very good friend and former collegiate professor who specializes in linguistics). That is, the brain itself.
In looking over his in work publication, the cover art caught my attention. There was a circle around the frontal lobe of the brain. I asked, and he answered with something I was not aware of. The final development of the logic/decision making portion is not complete until around age 23. All of a sudden the changes we see in someone between 18 and 22 made a lot more sense. There is actually still physical development happening in the grey matter over those years.
So, without further ado, here are three mock drafts and their conclusions. We’ll start breaking down the different scouting reports and try to see if we can guess the captain this time around.
Mynhldraft.com has Detroit taking right wing Michael Brandsegg-Nygard There isn’t a lot of excitement about this player in multiple quotes provided by the website:
Rachel Doerrie - ESPN - April 2nd: "He projects as a middle-six player who is a power-play shooting threat. Scouts love his playing style, and if he can continue to develop his puck protection and two-way game, he'll be a reliable middle-of-the-lineup player for a long time."
Scott Wheeler - The Athletic - March 25th: "He’s not a dynamic individual play creator but he’s got pro size, he works extremely hard and engages himself in the play, he plays well off of his linemates, and he’s got good all-around skill. He also plays the game with a physical tilt even against pros, constantly engaging in battles and keeping his effort level ramped up."
Sam Cosentino - Sportsnet - March 13th: "A player you can trust in all situations and someone who has produced well at the pro level despite getting only mid-tier minutes."
Corey Pronman - The Athletic - March 12th: "He thinks the game well and sees plays develop, but I don't think his playmaking is his main asset. Brandsegg-Nygard has a game that should lend itself to success versus men, eventually as a good NHL forward and potentially in a top six."
Steven Ellis - Daily Faceoff - March 9th: "MBN plays at a high pace and has a great shot release to boot while playing significant time in the second-tier Swedish league. He’s someone I expect to really be a valuable two-way player in the NHL."
Peter Baracchini - The Hockey Writers - March 7th: "Brandsegg-Nygård already possesses a lot of pro qualities in his game, from his composure, work ethic and finding the open ice. He’s extremely competitive hunting down loose pucks and playing the body in order to regain possession."
Mike Morreale - NHL.com - March 1st: "Born in Norway, Brandsegg-Nygard (6-1, 198) plays in Allsvenskan, Sweden's second division, and is a hard-working two-way player with good first-step quickness, decision-making and vision."
thehockeywriters.com have Yzerman taking Eiserman. Phonetically that’s a better look. The 6’0 left winger is called by some “The best pure goal scorer in the draft”..Even though their mock draft has him heading to Detroit, the website offers a caveat that there isn’t a likely scenario where Cole slips to 15 with this descriptor:
I’m not sold that Cole Eiserman will drop this far in the draft, but it does feel like a distinct possibility despite his ridiculous goal totals. Eiserman has been the most polarizing prospect this season bar-none, as a result of the questions around the completeness of his game. He can often get tunnel-vision when he has the puck, deciding to shoot before considering other options. Eiserman has an incredible shot, but he could absolutely learn to use his teammates better.
He is an elite goalscorer, and I mean that, but there are significant questions about his playmaking and defensive commitment that could prevent him from being a top pick. The Detroit Red Wings are in need of high-end goal scoring so I think they’d be thrilled to take a chance on Eiserman.
Finally for today, NHL.com had these two picks. Kimelman picked 6 ft right shooting center Michael Hage and Morreale gives another vote for Brandsegg-Nygard:
15. Detroit Red Wings
Kimelman -- Michael Hage, C, Chicago (USHL): Hage (6-foot, 187) plays with a physical edge and impressed with his ability to take over games late in the season. He was fourth in the United States Hockey League with 75 points (34 goals, 42 assists) in 54 games, including 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists) in his final 14. The Red Wings would be able to keep a close eye on Hage's development when he starts at the University of Michigan in the fall.
Morreale -- Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW, Mora (SWE-2): Born in Norway, Brandsegg-Nygard (6-1, 198) plays in Allsvenskan, Sweden's second division, and is a hard-working two-way player with good first-step quickness, decision-making and vision. The 18-year-old had 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in 41 regular-season games, and 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 12 playoff games. He also tied for the Norway lead with five points (three goals, two assists), and averaged 17:22 of ice time in five games at the 2024 WJC.
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