It’s uncertain as to whether any of Nate Danielson, Marco Kasper or Carter Mazur will earn a spot on the Red Wings’ roster. Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen discusses Danielson’s uphill climb this evening, noting that every player on Detroit’s roster faces increased pressure this season:
“Coming into this camp you can tell it’s a different feeling around the room,” Danielson said. “Expectations are a lot higher this year. I think everyone from Newsie … Newsie’s starting it out for us, everyone, all the staff, it’s just been higher expectations. The intensity is a lot higher this year. It just a different feel to it.”
Also, sometimes players come in their first year and play on instincts and confidence. They don’t know what they don’t know. In the second year, they know what they need to do to improve and sometimes they second guess themselves.
Finally, Danielson went deep into the WHL playoffs last season, meaning he didn’t get as many AHL games as the Red Wings would have liked for him to have. He played two playoff games. Kasper has played a full AHL season and that experience could also benefit Danielson’s growth.
“Still understanding some things in the game,” Lalonde said of Danielson. “He seems to have a little more puck play issues in camp this year than he did last year. I just think that’s part of the natural development. But obviously there’s a lot of upside. Seems to be a gamer.”
Continued (paywall)
