Breaking: Flyers begin talks to sign 6’1″, 200 lbs right winger as long-term replacement for Scott Laughton

Flyers fans may need to get accustomed to hearing the name Michael Brandsegg-Nygård. According to multiple NHL mock drafts, he is emerging as a potential #12 pick for the Flyers. There’s good reason for this.

The 18-year-old Norwegian is six feet tall and weighs about 200 pounds. He is a right winger with a powerful slap shot. He’s also raw. If you’re looking for someone who can be a force in a year or two, he might be the one. He has the potential to become the highest-ranked Norwegian ever taken in the NHL draft, surpassing the previous record set by Marius Holtet in 2002 by the Stars. He’s never played in the NHL.

In 2022-23, he played for Mora IK Jr in the Swedish Junior League. In 35 games, he recorded 17 goals and 21 assists. This year, he alternated between the junior and first-division Mora IK teams. He took a step back, scoring only 13 goals in 58 total appearances, 41 of which were against better competition.In this year’s under-20 international campaign, he has three goals and two assists in five games for Norway.

Hockey Scout Frederick Fransen had this to say about Brandsegg-Nygård:

“Brandsegg-Nygård is a versatile power forward known for his exceptional shot. It’s a mix of raw and hefty force with a rapid release. It quickly falls off the blade and is exceedingly difficult to read. When you consider the strength behind it, it’s no surprise that many in Norway refer to him as their Ovechkin…. Michael Brandsegg-Nygård stands out as a versatile and complete two-way player in the 2024 NHL draft. While his skating and puck control need to be improved, he is nearly NHL-ready. His exceptional hockey sense and versatility contribute to his success.

Another scout, Jesse Courville-Lynch of the Hockey Writers, said this:

“Brandsegg-Nygård may be among the most complete players in the upcoming 2024 NHL Entry Draft.” While some athletes have a single offensive strength that attracts the attention of numerous scouts, he has multiple and does not overlook any. It also helps that he is regarded as one of the best defensive-minded forwards in the 2018 draft, so transferring his game from Europe to North America should be relatively simple…..Brandsegg-Nygård is one of my favorite prospects for the draft. He should be able to find a place as a second-line forward if he can adapt his game from Europe to North America and continue to play a strong two-way game when given the opportunity at the NHL level.”

He could be someone the Flyers select if he is available when they draft. He could end up being a long-term replacement for Scott Laughton or Sean Couturier. And if he had a career as long as they did, that wouldn’t be a bad investment.