Michael Brandsegg-Nygard in the opening-night lineup for the Detroit Red Wings? Unlikely, but not out of the question.

If there’s anything we’ve learned so far about Brandsegg-Nygard, it’s that the Norwegian winger is a quick study. He tends to figure things out and adapt to scenarios rapidly.

“I don’t think there’s going to be a long transition period for him to get used to how to play here in North America,” Grand Rapids Griffins coach Dan Watson said.

Joseph Woll robs Brandsegg-Nygard! pic.twitter.com/TlQbE1Dyya

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) October 5, 2024

Could it happen fast enough for Brandsegg-Nygard to open the NHL season in Detroit?

Maybe.

It’s not like such an outcome would be unprecedented.

In 2022, another big forward, Elmer Soderblom, grabbed a spot off a strong preseason showing. The year before, Lucas Raymond did likewise and never looked back.

Red Wings Can Use What Brandsegg-Nygard Has To Offer

Even if he doesn’t break camp with the big club, Brandsegg-Nygard could show the Red Wings he’s ready by dominating in the AHL. That’s what got Marco Kasper quickly promoted last season.

A clear asset in Brandsegg-Nygard’s toolkit is that what he brings to the ice is a quality that the Red Wings don’t possess in quantity. He plays a hard, heavy game. He’ll go into traffic and barge into the corners with a determined ferocity.

“I think one thing is we can see he’s a competitor,” Watson said. “He’s winning a lot of 50-50 battles with a stick, with his body.

“He’s a physical player. He gets right in there.”

On top of that, MBN is also a finisher. He can put the puck in the net.

“He’s got that quick-release shot,” Watson said. “So anything in tight, you know he’s going to get that off.”

MBN on the board! pic.twitter.com/rwAIE0xoOG

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 14, 2025

Unlike the majority of European players, Brandsegg-Nygard feels his game is better-suited to play on the smaller North American ice surface.

“I feel like it’s more physical over here, and I like to be the physical player of the game, so I’m trying to do that,” Brandsegg-Nygard said. “And, I mean, I like that it’s always going north every time, so we get like skating toward the O zone.

“And I do not like to play in the D zone. So it’s fun to, like, just get it up right away. And yeah, I mean, hockey is hockey.”

Will Brandsegg-Nygard open the NHL season with Detroit?

Logically, probably not.

Could Brandsegg-Nygard open the NHL season with Detroit?

All we’re saying is, there’s a chance.