All signs point to Detroit forward prospect Michael Bransdegg-Nygard (2024 1st round, 15th overall) donning a Wings’ uniform for all of 2026-27 right out of training camp. He is projected to win the third-line right wing job in camp.
The hard-nosed winger played 14 games for Detroit this past season, then went on to register 44 points (20G 24A) in 60 games for the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. For his efforts, Brandsdegg-Nygard was named to the AHL’s Top Prospects Team, the second Wings’ prospect to be honored with that distinction (the first being d-man Simon Edvinsson in 2023-24).
His post-season performance at the 2026 World Championship tournament in Switzerland further showed his ability to compete successfully against NHL-caliber players. He totaled 6 points (3G 3A) in 5 games in helping lead Norway to a bronze-medal finish, an event in which the country had never medaled. This followed up his efforts at the 2025 World Championship, where Brandsdegg-Nygard showed Detroit fans what to expect from his rugged playing style by leading the tournament in penalty minutes (29).
