On the ‘polarizing’ Nate Danielson

EP Rinkside’s J.D. Burke and Cam Robinson offered a set of 2023 NHL Draft “Odds and Ends” this afternoon, and they noted that Red Wings 9th overall pick Nate Danielson remains a somewhat “polarizing” prospect:

Going into last week, it seemed that Nate Danielson was the most extreme example of the divergence between public and team side scouts in this year’s draft – the team side in the pro camp and most in the public sharing a less enthusiastic appraisal of his game.

When the Detroit Red Wings stepped up to the podium to take him with the ninth overall pick, it seemed to confirm that. Now, we’re not so certain.

“It was a little surprising to see him go at nine, but one of my scouts had him in that range,” one executive said. “He was a little polarizing, but there were people that were high on him.”

As we continued to talk with people for this piece, their opinion of that pick seemed to align with that – that Danielson was divisive rather than universally revered.

“No, I wasn’t surprised to see him go at nine. He’s terrific,” one scout said.

On the opposite end of the spectrum: “We just don’t understand why some clubs value safe, middle-of-the-lineup players that early,” another scout told EP Rinkside. “You can find those players in trades, free agency, and the (waiver) wire. If you trust your pro scouts, they can get you those players. The job is to find difference makers early in the draft”

Danielson is going to be a fascinating prospect to track in the coming years. The Red Wings had to swing on upside in that spot, because it’s not likely that they’ll be in that range again in the coming years, and they still need a game-breaking talent in their NHL lineup. Clearly, they see him as that guy.

Continued (paywall); after three viewings, I’m not worried about Danielson, but it’s early yet for the 18-year-old.

A profile of Carter Mazur, grade-A pest

The Hockey News’s Sam Stockton posted a fine profile of Red Wings prospect and turning-pro Grand Rapids Griffin Carter Mazur:

Since getting back home to Michigan [from the World Championship], Mazur has “been weight training five days a week, so that’s another part of it and then right after that you eat, you go on the ice. So it’s been a good setup and look forward to continuing over the summer.”

It’s an arrangement that suits the natural rink rat perfectly. Asked to describe himself as a player, Mazur says “I’m more of a hard worker I would say, and when I stick to that, then my skill comes out. I feel like if I can have an ‘A’ game, but my ‘B’ game is good. I wanna have a good ‘B’ game as well. But I feel like when I’m on my ‘A’ game, that’s when most of the skill is happening, but as long as I’m a hard worker, I think everything takes care of itself.”

“I would say I like pissing people off,” he says, offering further explanation. He notes that he picked up the idea of “A” and “B” games from Dan Cleary, Detroit’s Assistant Director of Player Development who also played ten seasons for the Wings. “That’s a big part of my game, so I feel like when that’s going on, and I’m getting under people’s skin that’s what I consider a ‘B’ game and then ‘A’ I would consider I’m doing all that as well as skill plays, good passing, scoring goals.”

“I love chirping,” Mazur continues, with an unrepentant grin. “I like getting under people’s skin. Don’t care who you are. It’s something I enjoy doing and it makes hockey fun.”

Continued

Tweet of note: Caputo offers a different take on the Red Wings’ free agent haul

Per 97.1 the Ticket’s Pat Caputo:

Filip Zadina clears waivers per Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff

Red Wings forward Filip Zadina has cleared waivers, and he will remain a member of the Red Wings’ organization:

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman confirms:

As does TSN’s Chris Johnston:

Update: Per TSN

Continue reading Filip Zadina clears waivers per Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff

Your DeBrincat rumor of the day: TSN’s Dreger reports that DeBrincat wants ‘Meier Money’

Per TSN:

As the NHL off-season continues, the Ottawa Senators are searching for a landing spot for winger Alex DeBrincat, who is unwilling to sign with the club long-term.

Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports the Senators have given DeBrincat’s agent permission to negotiate with at least three teams regarding an extension, but his price appears to be too high for all of them. 

TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger said on the Ray and Dregs Podcast that the winger is looking for a contract similar to the one Timo Meier signed with the New Jersey Devils last week – eight years, $70.2 million, with an average annual value of $8.775 million. Dreger notes, however, that acquiring teams see DeBrincat’s value as being close to Jesper Bratt, who inked an eight-year, $63 million contract with the Devils, carrying a cap hit of $7.875 million.

“If that’s holding up a trade, and it sounds like it might be, then it’s got to be up to Alex DeBrincat to reconsider or maybe he stays in Ottawa,” Dreger said.

Continued