Nate Danielson on Sunday became the fourth rookie to make his NHL debut this season with the Detroit Red Wings.
It shows their shift in philosophy from wanting prospects to “overripen” in Grand Rapids to thrusting them into the lineup in place of under-performing veterans.
It shows a heightened sense of urgency to explore different options in an effort to end their nine-year playoff drought.
Danielson, 21, is a skilled, two-way center with good hockey sense who was selected ninth overall in 2023. He logged 15:16, mostly centering the third line with Marco Kasper and Mason Appleton and also played on the second power-play unit in a 5-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.
“We have been struggling offensively,” coach Todd McLellan said. “Nate, had he not been hurt in training camp, I think he would have started with our team based on where he was when he got injured. He worked hard to stay healthy. He had an upper-body injury, and he was able to keep his legs going. And he’s had a pretty good start in Grand Rapids.
“So, we want to see him now so we can make some decisions, perhaps on some other players. For his first game, I thought he did some really good things on the ice. It’s unfortunate that he leaves like the rest of the players with a loss, but he as an individual certainly wasn’t our problem.”
Said Dylan Larkin: “We know he’s got the skill and can skate, and I thought as the game went on, he could adjust the pace a little better.”
Michael Rasmussen and Jonathan Berggren were healthy scratches Sunday and appear to be on shaky ground with the organization.
Rasmussen has been scratched twice in eight games. He has one goal and two assists in 14 games, well below expectations after signing a four-year extension worth $3.2 million per season in February 2024.
Berggren has been in and out of the lineup (two goals, two assists in 10 games), unable to secure a spot on a top-three line and out of place on the fourth line because he’s not a checker.
Elmer Soderblom, scratched in five of the first nine games, also hasn’t established himself.
Veteran defensemen Erik Gustafsson and Justin Holl were waived and assigned to Grand Rapids before the season-opener.
The message from management and coaches is simple: If you can’t get the job done, we’ll turn to rookies.
That’s why Emmitt Finnie has been a fixture on the top line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond and Axel Sandin-Pellikka is on the second defense pairing. Right wing Michael Brandsegg-Nygard gained valuable experience the first nine games before the Red Wings determined he needs development time with the Griffins.
Gritty winger Carter Mazur might have been promoted by now if he hadn’t been injured two weeks ago in Griffins practice.
Now it’s up to Danielson, in his second pro season, to seize this opportunity.
“Thought I was having a good camp and I mean, injuries happen, so just tried to move on and take what I could and just make the best of the opportunity and glad to be here now,” Danielson said.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.