Is Brandsegg-Nygard close to pro-ready and a possibility for Flyers?

Despite overachieving for the majority of the 2023-24 season, the Flyers still have a rebuilding mindset. The club's decision-makers know there's a need for more talent and that the entry draft remains the best avenue to acquire it.

"The bulk of it still needs to be done through our young guys, mostly through the draft," general manager Danny Briere said in April.

The Flyers will have a good opportunity to augment their future when the 2024 NHL draft arrives June 28-29 at the Sphere in Las Vegas. The first round is Friday at 7 p.m. ET, while Rounds 2-7 are Saturday starting at 11:30 a.m. ET.

Like last summer, the Flyers could have up to 10 picks, including two first-rounders. Barring a trade, they'll make their top overall selection at No. 12. Briere believes the Flyers "can get a very talented player" at that spot.

In the first round of the 2023 draft, the Flyers took a swing on Matvei Michkov at No. 7 and grabbed Oliver Bonk at No. 22. They should also have two first-round picks in 2025.

Leading up to the 2024 draft, we're breaking down targets for the Flyers at No. 12.

Next up:

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard

Position: Winger
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 207
Shoots: Right
Team: Mora IK

Scouting report

The 18-year-old Norwegian is built like a pro and plays like a pro. With a real moxie for puck battles and owning a big shot, Brandsegg-Nygard has a game that can scale a lineup.

Playing against men in HockeyAllsvenskan, a Swedish pro league that is a tier below the SHL, Brandsegg-Nygard recorded 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) and a plus-3 rating over 41 games this season for Mora IK. After playing 14:20 minutes per game in the regular season, he saw 17:29 during the playoffs and put up 10 points (four goals, six assists) through 12 games.

"He's one of these players that already plays a mature game, plays a pro level game," Dan Marr, the vice president of NHL Central Scouting, said over three weeks ago in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. "And he has been playing pro hockey. He understands the game to where he makes smart plays, smart decisions where maybe he can be that difference-maker on a play."

Brandsegg-Nygard has been strong on the international scene, as well. At the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship last month, he had five points (three points, two assists) in seven games for Norway. In the winter at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, he also had five points (three goals, two assists) over five games.

The knock on Brandsegg-Nygard might be his lack of upside. Some teams may prefer higher ceilings in first-round picks. But there's nothing wrong with a prospect who plays the right way. Winning teams want those pieces.

NHL Central Scouting has Brandsegg-Nygard as the fifth-ranked European skater. He's considered the 16th-best prospect in the draft by EliteProspects.com, while TSN's Bob McKenzie and TSN's Craig Button both have him at No. 17.

"He doesn't come at you with a lot of flash or bang or anything, but he has got the hockey IQ to be a really strong two-way forward," Marr said. "His maturity level and composure are off the charts, so he could be a little more pro-ready than a lot of players that are in this draft class. It's going to be intriguing to see where the teams consider him because you're drafting somebody here who's going to have a short runway to the National Hockey League."

Fit with Flyers

The Flyers should absolutely like Brandsegg-Nygard's size and style. And a quick riser is never a bad thing, especially with a rebuilding team that is asking younger players to push for its lineup.

Brandsegg-Nygard would give the Flyers some goal-scoring potential in the system and a possible Swiss Army knife.

But it's important to note the Flyers have wanted to take bigger swings in the first round, starting last summer. At No. 12 overall, they could try to find a player with more prolific attributes. It'll all depend on how the board falls ahead of the Flyers.

More targets

• Flyers should like Helenius, 'one of the top talents in the draft'

• Flyers draft target Catton has 'ingredients' to be first-line center

• Flyers could have shot at Yakemchuk, a defenseman with 'rare combination'

• Flyers draft target Iginla has impressive NHL lineage and 'very high ceiling'

• Eiserman, 'the best goal scorer in this draft,' an option for Flyers?

• 'The full package' Connelly has interesting draft case for Flyers

• With 'no real holes to his game,' Jiricek an option for Flyers at No. 12

• Sennecke, a big winger set to 'explode offensively,' will be on Flyers' radar

• Should Boisvert, a future 'impact center,' have Flyers' attention?

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