Nate Danielson was promoted to the Detroit Red Wings today and is making his NHL debut on the third line against the Chicago Blackhawks.

He will center Marco Kasper and Mason Appleton. Andrew Copp moves to the center spot on the fourth line. Nobody had to be sent to Grand Rapids because the Red Wings were one below the 23-person roster limit.

Danielson is considered a responsible, two-way center with quality passing skill. He totaled 12 goals and 27 assists for 39 points in 72 games last season with the Griffins.

The odd man out of the lineup is Michael Rasmussen whose level of play has slipped this season. Rasmussen has three points in 14 games and is minus-5. His performance level was sub-par again Friday in a 4-1 loss to the New York Rangers. It’s unknown whether Rasmussen is either ill or injured.

Danielson (ninth, 2023) earned his spot by playing well throughout Detroit’s training camp and preseason. He likely would have been on the Detroit at the start of the season had he not been injured. He also boasts one goal and five points in four games for the Griffins.

The promotion puts Detroit’s rookie total back to three. The Red Wings started with rookies Axel Sandin Pellikka, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and Emmitt Finnie on the team. However, Brandsegg-Nygard was sent back to Grand Rapids. Sandin Pellikka and Finnie are both still playing regularly.

The Griffins play today in Chicago at 4 p.m.

 

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