Detroit Red Wings sign Nate Danielson to entry-level contract

The Detroit Red Wings have signed center Nate Danielson to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Danielson was taken ninth overall by the Red Wings at last month’s NHL Draft. The Canadian spent the entirety of his season in the Western Hockey League with the Brandon Wheat Kings, where he had 33 goals, 45 assists, and 78 points in 68 games.

It was his first season as captain with the Wheat Kings, with the big-bodied forward registering 59 goals, 91 assists, and 150 points in 145 regular seasons games over three years.

Danielson’s top-end speed is among the leaders near the top-end of the 2023 draft class. His transition game is a bit of a mixed bag, but he wins puck races and generates chances by outskating and outworking players in the offensive zone. On the rush, Danielson is excellent.

“My skating and my hockey IQ are two of my biggest strengths,” Danielson said before getting selected. “I think my 200-foot game is something that I’ve always had, too.”

The Edmonton native has also represented Canada in international competition, winning bronze at the 2020 Youth Winter Olympic Games in Switzerland.

Danielson joins a prospect pool on Red Wings consisting of Marco Kasper, Carter Mazur, Simon Edvinsson and more. The Red Wings finished with a 35-37-10 record in the 2022-23 season, giving them 80 points which was good enough for seventh in the Atlantic Division and 24th in the league. They missed the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season.

The Red Wings have been active on the free agent front, adding Alex Lyon, Justin Holl, James Reimer, Daniel Sprong, Christian Fischer and Shayne Gostisbehere, among others. The team also acquired Alex DeBrincat via trade on July 9. The club has $8.162 million in projected cap space with Joe Veleno, Jared McIsaac and Wyatt Newpower being the only RFAs left to sign.