About half an hour ago, both MLive’s Ansar Khan and the Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan posted articles in which Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat and coach Derek Lalonde all praised Nate Danielson’s potential and performance thus far. Now, the Hockey News’s Connor Eargood adds more notable quotes to the mix:
“Even from last year, he’s just a really smart player,” alternate captain Andrew Copp said Thursday. “A guy that knows where to be, knows how to move the puck. I think you can tell that he’s put on a little bit of muscle, a little bit of mass since the last time I saw him this time last year. I’m looking forward to seeing how he plays in the preseason games, because you definitely see it’s there. It’s just a matter of time for him.”
No single thing makes Danielson’s game ready for the NHL. Rather, he puts so many details together. He plays with the hockey sense of a wise vet, using that to play exceptional defense and create scoring chances for his team. He also bulked bulked up a bit this offseason, adding about four pounds while already understanding how to maximize his leverage to make use of it. Most of all, Danielson has a “B” game — the good habits players use to consistently make winning plays — that few players his age possess. And that’s where the NHL-ready separate themselves from the NHL-hopeful.
“His hockey sense, his feel for the game, puck support, game management — really nice player,” Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde praised Thursday. “I think (he’s) still understanding some things in the game, he seems to have a little more puck play issues in camp this year than he did last year, and I just think that’s part of the natural development. But obviously there’s a lot of upside.”
Lalonde is quick to point out that Danielson is the kind of player who heats up as a camp progresses, especially once he gets into games. “It doesn’t surprise me, the way he thinks the game,” Lalonde said to explain the phenomenon. And in Detroit’s seven remaining games this preseason, Danielson will get plenty of opportunities to show his game at full temperature, which will give a much better glimpse into what he’ll be bringing to the NHL someday soon.
