The Detroit Red Wings selected forward Nate Danielson with the ninth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft this summer. Their first pick of the draft left them with a really exciting prospect to add to their depth-filled crop of youngsters.
When it comes to Nate Danielson and his future for the Detroit Red Wings, there is still a lot of time for things to develop and for him to morph into the player the Red Wings envision him to become. But it sounds like there is some vision for his future in a Red Wings uniform.
The Red Wings youngster is expected to be a player who excels all over the ice, and the team feels that they can develop him into a full 200-foot player. The term is a two-way forward. He may not be considered a top-tier scorer or a fiery offensive player, but he will bring plenty to be excited about.
A step further, the Red Wings are really looking to see Danielson do all the things he needs to sharpen his game, not just offensively but defensively, to be a complete player. It’s something the Red Wings are no stranger to having around when they were a consistent competitor.
Detroit Red Wings forward Nate Danielson is aiming to be a 200-foot player.
The Red Wings brought in Danielson in the draft and did a good job finding someone with the upside to be a complete player. He’s a 6-foot-2, 187-pound centerman. He has room to fill out a bit more and will show growth over time.
Danielson is coming off of the 2022-23 season, where he was the captain of the Brandon Wheat Kings. He played in 68 games, scoring 33 goals and adding 45 assists for 78 total points. The offense on the stat sheet is eye-catching, but he shows flashes of being a complete player now.
It’s part of the reason the Red Wings selected Danielson at no.9 in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. It speaks to the plans of what Danielson wants to do. He wants to go out and prove that he can be a tough player for opponents to defend but also be challenging for opposing players to attack.
The Red Wings have to be looking forward to what might come for Danielson. He’s got a chance to be a special forward and piece of this puzzle if he indeed can be a 200-foot player who excels all over the ice.
It will take time, but Danielson has signed his entry-level contract and will be at Red Wings Prospect Camp as part of the recently announced rosters. The Red Wings faithful should certainly keep an eye out on the ninth overall pick from this year’s draft as he participates in Traverse City this September.