"it'll Go In For Him": Todd Mclellan Indicates Only Matter Of Time Before Michael Brandsegg-nygård's 1st Goal

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The Detroit Red Wings return to action Friday evening against the Seattle Kraken, giving forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygård another chance to score his first NHL goal.

Brandsegg-Nygård led Detroit with six shots on goal in the Red Wings' 3-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets earlier this week. He's still searching for that elusive first goal, but according to head coach Todd McLellan, it certainly isn't for a lack of trying.

In fact, according to McLellan, the idea is to take the pressure off the young forward rather than build it up. 

"We enforce the things he's doing well, but we don't want to convolute him with, 'Hey, if you do this, you're gonna score'. He's getting his chances, he's got a good shot, and it'll go in eventually," McLellan said following the club's skate on Friday morning. "He'll get rewarded. But we're not going to - we'd prefer to take the pressure off him rather than put it on him. 

He's still a young fella, and he's been real effective up to this point. I have no complaints about his game; it'll go in for him." 

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Brandsegg-Nygård, whom the Red Wings selected in the first round (15th overall pick) of the 2024 NHL Draft, was one of the best players for the American Hockey League affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins during the Calder Cup Playoffs in the spring.

For the second straight year, he made the most of his opportunity in Red Wings Training Camp and the preseason, earning a roster spot. 

With the loss of veterans like Patrick Kane and James van Riemsdyk, along with current injuries to players like J.T. Compher, Mason Appleton, and Marco Kasper, Brandsegg-Nygård will be looked upon to play a bigger role in the forward units. 

But that doesn't mean he'll be pressured to do so. The reason he's on the roster is because the team sees his talent, and believes he can help them. 

Brandsegg-Nygård and the Red Wings will drop the puck against the Kraken at 7:00 p.m. ET. 

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