According to Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff, Red Wings prospect center Nate Danielson has pulled something of what I call a “Valtteri Filppula,” a.k.a. focusing too heavily on being defensively responsible, to the detriment of his offensive abilities.
Grand Rapids Griffins coach Dan Watson wants to see Danielson display a little more selfishness in pursing his own offensive game:
“He’s very responsible,” Grand Rapids Griffins coach Dan Watson said. “Maybe sometimes too responsible, and that sometimes can hurt you.”
In 27 NHL games with the Red Wings last season, Danielson accounted for two goals and five assists.
“Last year, when he got here, he performed really well,” Red Wings coach Todd McLellan said. “He didn’t quite hold on to it, but he’s older, stronger, more experienced, and our job is to help him.”
McLellan reminded everyone that he had Danielson penciled in on the team in training camp. Then a wrist injury put him on the shelf. When healthy, Danielson was sent to GR to regain game shape. He got the call to Detroit in November.
“I hope that he has the same type of training camp he had last year because he would have been on our team,” McLellan said.
