Todd McLellan praised Michael Brandsegg-Nygard for bullying his way to the net, and the Red Wings coach made sure the rest of the room heard the message too.
"He bullies his way to the net," McLellan said. "Probably a good example for some others."
That second sentence did the heavy lifting. McLellan didn't name names, and he didn't need to.
One fan joked that if McLellan were GM for a week, "he might have a few guys airdropped onto an island in the middle of the ocean."
The frustration makes sense. Detroit is 1-3-0 after a 6-3 home loss to Seattle on Friday.
The 21-year-old has been one of the bright spots, with a goal, two assists and a +2 through four games.
Detroit's young forward sets the standard Todd McLellan wants
Brandsegg-Nygard carries a $953,750 cap hit, and he's playing like someone who isn't waiting for permission. Going to the net is a choice, and he keeps making it.
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Some of the bigger names haven't matched that early. Lucas Raymond has three assists but no goals, and both he and Moritz Seider sit at -2.
McLellan is right to say it out loud. A team buried in trade rumours needs effort to be non-negotiable, and praising the kid who brings it calls out everyone who doesn't.
It's like a teacher reading the best essay aloud to the class. Everybody knows exactly who the lesson is for.
The Red Wings visit Montreal tonight. The coach will be watching to see who took the hint.
Brandsegg-Nygard got the compliment. The players who didn't will find out soon enough whether McLellan's patience has a deadline.
Was Todd McLellan right to call out his players through Brandsegg-Nygard?
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