MBN making an impact
The previous Red Wings entry discussed Kasper at the World’s tournament. Another Red Wings first round pick is also making waves.
Detroit’s 2024 first round pick is showing why he was selected. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard adds a missing physical component to the roster. Unfortunately, that edge saw him ejected from a game for head contact.
Mlive.com posted a write up about the physical forward. MBN’s hard hit in a game against Denmark saw a major penalty and ejection assessed. Head contact for the IIHF is a cut and dry issue.
The physicality issue
The league is sending a bit of a mixed message on hitting. Head contact in particular isn’t a cut and dry issue. The recent series of Florida vs Toronto may highlight the issue.
Anthony Stolarz was removed from the series for Toronto after a hard hit to the head. The contact was enough to send the goalie right to the bench and down the hall. Fans are debating if a suspension should have been given.
Detroit wants to add the needed “sandpaper” to compete. The Red Wings don’t have an answer for Florida. Tampa Bay has plenty of tough play as well. The problem comes with the shifting line.
There has to be a balance between being tough and crossing the line. It gets harder when there isn’t a consistent standard. The same hit that may have changed a series could be over the line in another scenario. At some point, new clarity needs to be given.
NCAA: Is Augustine headed for UFA status?
Detroit may face an important prospect getting away in free agency. Trey Augustine has opted for a 3rd year in college. By itself, this decision is not a problem. Unfortunately, there are new issues in the NCAA.
The perfect storm of changes has hit the NCAA. The foremost is the Name, Image and Likeness change. This allows players to gather sponsorships or University paid income. In football, this led to thousands of transfers. Players leaving their team a week before the playoffs.
Add to this the ability of CHL players to leave pro jr and enter the NCAA. Compounding the issue is an “infinite” transfer portal and removal of a waiting period to be able to play. The problem for the NHL is unique.
Unsigned Red Wings prospects
For a player to be drafted by an NBA or NFL team, they have to declare for the draft. An older draft age requires the player to decide between staying in school or leaving.
Typically, the NHL drafts college-bound players before their freshman year. No player can be signed to an Entry Level Contract and play in the NCAA.
Teams have a 50-contract limit, and cannot sign collegiate players. It is the one development route that prohibits the signing. Unsigned players in pro jr and European pro can now enter and wait out their teams. A big problem may be brewing.
Augustine is entering his junior year. The end of this season means one more year before becoming a UFA. Players who opted not to sign with their draft club used to face a dilemma. Forego compensation for the ability to choose. That obstacle has been removed.
If the team can’t get a commitment, they may need to explore a trade. Once the final year is entered, that trade could lose value. Teams know they could get in a bidding war in free agency. Detroit needs to assess if this is a real probability. Losing a top goal tending prospect for nothing would be a tough step backward.
Do we know if a player that is drafted from the CHL, then goes to NCAA after being drafted, if the drafting team gets the 2 years or 4 years to sign that player?
I haven’t seen the updates yet. There was a prospect for Utah that planned to go to MSU, but opted instead to sign his ELC. It was noted that the move would have been to wait out his rights. It likely depends on how much time they spent in the CHL. I spoke to a prospect and asked their thoughts earlier in the year. This was a player who was now playing in Czech league. He looked like he wished it had been around for him. If they’re not turning heads in the CHL, they can get moved to SHL, the Finnish league, then Czech etc. with this they can control their rights and now be paid if the agent sets up the deal. I found an NIL certification website. I will try and find how much they have to do in total and do an update.