The Daily: Danielson May Be Red Wings Missing Piece; Landeskog Update

Bob Duff’s story Friday pointed out that the player the Detroit Red Wings need to play No. 2 center for them may already be in the organization.

Duff’s story points out that Nate Danielson (drafted ninth overall in 2023) could be the answer sooner rather than later. With his skating, skill level and two way attitude, he has a shot at making the team coming out of training camp.

“Both Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond did crack the Detroit lineup a year after being drafted,”  Duff writes. “But Raymond is a winger and Larkin, though a center, also skated on the wing as a rookie.”

If Danielson makes the team, he could launch his  NHL career as a winger while he learns the ropes, and then move to center later in the season or in 2025-26.

“A 6-foot-2 and 188 pounds, Danielson has the ideal frame to be a dominant NHL center, although he’ll still need to bulk up and add strength,” Duff wrote. “He’s already known for his 200-foot game, and defensive play is generally the aspect that is holding young players back from making the NHL grade.”

Nate Danielson(1st round’23) has had a couple big chances tonight. #LGRW #WHLChampionship pic.twitter.com/1gKssXUT4I

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) May 11, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Does Nate Danielson have a shot to make the Red Wings next season? Bob Duff writes that he looks like a player who should be fast-tracked. Danielson is leading his team in scoring in the Western Hockey League playoffs

Lucas Raymond scored on his Detroit Red Wings teammate Alex Lyon at the World Championships. Raymond’s Sweden team downed USA, 5-2.

When GM Steve Yzerman is up at No. 15 of the NHL draft, he should be able to find a player who mdakes perfect sense for a team that needs forwards with some push-back.

It’s hard to believe that it has been a dozen years since Nick Lidstrom retired. The players the Red Wings are drafting these days never saw Lidstrom play.

Red Wings Offseason

The Grand Rapids Griffins still don’t know who they will play in the next round of the American Hockey League playoffs. The Milwaukee Admirals beat the Texas Stars 4-1 last night in Milwaukee to tie their best-of-five series 2-2. Game 5 is Sunday.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: The NHL has warned the Bruins and Florida Panthers that they will be monitoring this series closely. After Game 2, Boston’s Patrick Maroon said Bruins need to be angry about what happened in that game,  culminated by a fight between Matthew Tkachuk and Boston’s David Pastrnak. Players on both teams are trading barbs. Boston Bruins.

Colorado: Evan Rawal explains where Gabriel Landeskog’s recovery is one year after his surgery.  Colorado Avalanche.

Philadelphia: Jonathan Bailey writes that Philly fans should not view Rod Brind’Amour as what Philadelphia needs to take the next step. Philadelphia Flyers.

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski lays out all of the options GM Kyle Dubas has for retooling the Pittsburgh Penguins.