It goes without saying that, once the Detroit Red Wings trade Dylan Larkin, their center depth will leave much to be desired. The team has to all but run Andrew Copp on the top line while hoping that one of Marco Kasper or J.T. Compher can perform adequately on the second line.
Fortunately, there's a potential solution that already exists within the organization: prospect Nate Danielson.
Danielson had a somewhat tumultuous season last year, scoring seven points in 28 games with the Red Wings and 15 in 18 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Injuries shortened his campaign, preventing him from properly getting back on track at the AHL level.
Danielson turns 22 in September. At this point, it's make or break for him at the NHL level.
Danielson set up for success next season
Fortunately, the Red Wings plan on giving Danielson all the opportunity he needs to succeed at the NHL level. Between the increased runway for prospects and the lack of center depth, Danielson has plenty of opportunity to establish himself at the NHL level.
Best of all, there's a chance he even gets paired with franchise star Alex DeBrincat.
Max Bultman of The Athletic posted a mailbag of questions regarding next season's lineup. One posited the idea that Danielson play alongside an established NHLer like DeBrincat to get him up to speed.
"I can see the logic there for sure," writes Bultman. "DeBrincat will obviously be very high up the lineup, so Danielson would have to really earn his way into that kind of a role, but I do think playing him with a proven scorer is a good way to get him going in the NHL."
Slotting Danielson on a line with NHL journeyman Viktor Arvidsson and Alex DeBrincat would certainly do well for his development. But, like Bultman said, he'd need to earn the opportunity.
Next season is do or die for Danielson
That said, Danielson is rapidly approaching the age where he'll need to put up or shut up at the NHL level. Barring a potential breakout, it looks as if Danielson will be a solid depth center for the future -- assuming he can make it. If he isn't able to pull off a full-time NHL leap this season, the Red Wings will need to have a long conversation about his future with the organization.
If things don't work out here, there's a way the Red Wings can still give him a shot at the NHL.
Sometimes, when things don't work out with one organization, all players need is a fresh start. Take Sam Bennett, for example. The once underperforming center went from an afterthought to a Conn Smythe-winning forward when he was shipped from the Calgary Flames to the Florida Panthers. This isn't to say Danielson will become Sam Bennett, of course. Rather, it's a way to show that paths to success in the NHL aren't linear.
Should the Red Wings not see a future for Danielson here, they could easily target an underperforming center on another team while offering Danielson in return.
There's one player in mind that could easily fit that bill: Seattle Kraken center Shane Wright.
If things don't work out in Hockeytown, perhaps a deal can be cut between both parties to give each center a fresh start.
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