Photo credit: NHL.com
The Detroit Red Wings may have struck gold with their 9th overall pick at the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville, Nate Danielson.
Steve Yzerman drafted well in recent years. This season, four players made their NHL debut, including Nate Danielson.
He likely would’ve started the season in the NHL, but an injury during training camp forced him to miss the first few games of the regular calendar, and he ended up loaned to the Grand Rapids Griffins in the AHL for four games.
Nate Danielson Is Proving Why Steve Yzerman Drafted Him
There’s a lot of pressure with being a first-round pick in the NHL, but the player is slowly gaining the rhythm and confidence required to express himself more freely on the ice.
Being called up quickly from the AHL helped him do so.
Here’s what he said in his post-game press conference after his two-point night against the Kraken on Tuesday:
«It definitely gave me confidence. Obviously never want to get injured, but I feel like it kind of gave me that little extra motivation to get back and get back healthier knowing that I had a good chance to play here.»
«I’m getting used to playing at this level, just like I had to get used to my first season of pro hockey last year. I’m definitely starting to feel comfortable and confident.»
Danielson scored his first goal after five games. If you missed it, check out his goal here:
Now, let’s see if he can feed off his goal to build consistency in the NHL, as he did with the call-up from the AHL.
He and the Wings will be back in action against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
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Red Wings and Steve Yzerman strike gold with smart star-studded acquisition in Nashville
Do you think Nate Danielson will play the rest of the season in the NHL?