The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan posted a Friday morning article which discusses Red Wings prospect Nate Danielson, who’s turning pro with the Grand Rapids Griffins this upcoming season. Danielson is supremely self-confident, but Kulfan reports that Danielson possesses the hockey chops to back up his confidence:
Danielson had another impactful season in the Western Hockey League. He recorded 26 points (12 goals) in 26 games in Brandon before being traded and keying Portland’s playoff push, with 41 points (29 assists) in 28 regular-season games and 24 points (17 assists) in 18 playoff games. Danielson also improved his season to season plus-minus rating from minus-12 to plus-26, a testament to his defensive improvement.
The Wings always like to see a prospect basically dominate the level he’s at before being promoted, and that’s exactly what Danielson did in junior hockey.
“Every year you just try and improve,” Danielson said. “My overall game has improved since last time I was here (in Detroit). Just overall as a person and player, I’ve improved with all the new experiences I’ve had.”
[Red Wings assistant director of player development Dan] Cleary saw that during the development camp. The many areas Danielson worked on during the regular season, they were noticeable on the ice in Detroit.
“He was great every day (in camp). He talks the talk and he walks it,” Cleary said. “He does everything right and really showed the way in his testing, preparation, professionalism, his maturity.”
Continued (paywall)
