"Terrible pick again" "Big winger. I like it": NHL fans divided as Detroit Red Wings pick Norwegian Michael Brandsegg-Nygard with 15th draft pick

The Detroit Red Wings selected Norwegian forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygard as the 15th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft. Given the player is ‘earmarked’ to play the 2024-25 season with Skellefteå in the Swedish Hockey League, the selection did not sit well with fans.

The 18-year-old played the previous season for Mora IK in HockeyAllsvenskan, which is the second-tier league in Sweden. Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has now picked a forward in the first round in three consecutive NHL Drafts, and this year’s selection drew divided opinions from fans.

Fans took to social media to let their opinions known about the selection. Some called out Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman for the pick.

Following are some fan reactions from X/Twitter:

“Terrible pick again, yzerman is washed 😭.”

“Yzerman sucks bro lol,” wrote one fan.

“Sure, why not another guy whose best case scenario is 2022 Andrew Copp for the third year in a row. If you love being 18th in the league every single year then this is the perfect pick,” commented another user.

Meanwhile, some fans were happy to welcome the player to Detroit. Some even praised the youngster.

“People saying this isn’t a good pick doesn’t know hockey. Kid has a wicked shot and fights for the puck. Good pick by Detroit. #LGRW.”

“Any of you weirdos mad about Yzerman picking Michael Brandsegg-Nygård don’t know puck lmao,” commented one fan.

“Here come all the hockey “experts” to criticize the pick as if they have any idea. Looking at mock drafts on ESPN doesn’t make you an expert. Big winger. I like it,” wrote one user.

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Detroit Red Wings linked to Bolts captain Steve Stamkos

The Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steve Stamkos has reportedly just declined a $3 million AAV, eight-year contract extension with the Bolts. The two-time Stanley Cup champion is set to hit free agency come July 1st.

TSN’s Chris Johnston recently reported that the Red Wings are interested in bringing Stamkos to Detroit if he enters the free-agency market.

“One I would keep an eye on is the Detroit Red Wings who have freed up money with the Jake Walman trade they made this week,” Johnston said on TSN Insider Trading. “The belief is they are one of the ones lining up to take a run at (Stamkos) if he hits the open market.”

Meanwhile, the Detroit Red Wings aren’t the only team who want the Bolts captain. The Nashville Predators are also keen on signing Stamkos in free agency, per NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun.

However, everything depends on whether or not the player hits free agency on Monday.