DETROIT –Nate Danielson had a successful NHL debut for no other reason than there was really nothing to blame him for in a 5-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.

That cannot be said for many of his teammates.

“For his first game, I thought he did some real good things on the ice,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan said. “It’s unfortunate that he leaves like the rest of the players with a loss.  But as an individual, certainly, he wasn’t our problem.”

Wearing No. 29, Danielson had four shots on goal, which put him in the company of Dylan Larkin (7), Lucas Raymond (5), Patrick Kane (5) and (4) on the list of Detroit shot leaders. He played 15:16 and owned an even plus-minus.

His call-up means the Red Wings now have three members of the team’s 2023 draft class on the team. Danielson was ninth overall, followed by Axel Sandin Pellikka (17th) and Emmitt Finnie (201st).

McLellan used all three of them together on the second half of one of Detroit’s power play chances,

“That unit probably had more legitimate opportunities than the first unit.  And they don’t get a lot of time,” McLellan said. “Maybe they need more.”

Rasmussen Odd-Man Out

Nobody was sent to Grand Rapids to make room for Danielson because the Red Wings were one under the 23-player roster limit. Struggling Michael Rasmussen lost his lineup spot as Danielson played with Marco Kasper and Mason Appleton.

Rasmussen, nor another scratch Jonatan Berggren, are injured. The Danielson move was made to add a new look to the offense.

“Had he not been hurt in training camp,” McLellan said. “I think he would have started with our team… He’s had a pretty good start in Grand Rapids (with one goal and five points). We want to see him now so we can make some decisions, perhaps on some other players.”

It’s too early to know what that means for Rasmussen who hasn’t played at the same level he’s played in previous seasons.

Danielson offers solid defense and a credible offensive game. “I thought he got more comfortable as the game went on,” Captain Dylan Larkin said. “We know Danny well. He’s been in the organization for a while. We know he’s got the skill and can skate.”

The former Western Hockey League standout said he wasn’t nervous in the morning.  But he was at game time. “First shift was a little bit nervous,” Danielson said. “But then (I) settled in pretty good after that.”