The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan filed a notebook article which focuses on Nate Danielson, Shai Buium, the “runway” provided to the Red Wings’ prospects by their two-game series against the Dallas Stars, and a bit bout Ondrej Becher.
Both Kulfan and Griffins coach Dan Watson, who ran the bench this past weekend, are particularly bullish on Danielson’s potential:
“He did a really good job competing both games,” said Dan Watson, the Grand Rapids Griffins head coach who guided the Wings in Dallas. “He was one of the best players on the ice both nights. He did fatigue a little bit down the stretch for us in the third (period), but we played him a ton. He was on the power play, penalty kill, five-on-five minutes with 11 forwards. He ate up a ton of ice time but did everything we asked him to do.”
Watson coached Danielson last season in Grand Rapids (12 goals and 39 points in 71 games), and barring any major injuries or surprises, Danielson will likely start with the season with the Griffins.
But it wouldn’t be shocking to see Danielson, who’ll turn 21 on Sept. 27, in a Wings jersey at some point this season given his development.
Danielson, by his own estimate, gained seven or eight pounds over the summer in training and looked physically bigger in the two games against Dallas. Getting physically stronger, said Danielson, was a summer focus.
“Summer was good. I just spent a lot of time in the gym and on the ice,” Danielson said. “For me, the focus was to try to get bigger, stronger and put some weight on. I did that, and the games (last weekend) weren’t bad. I got better as they went.”
This will be Danielson’s third training camp with the Wings and he is viewing it as a case of “whatever happens, happens.” If he gets sent back to the Griffins, he’ll return with a good attitude and continue developing and progressing. But as any young player should be thinking, there is one big Danielson objective. “The goal is to make Detroit,” he said.
Continued (paywall)
