Detroit Red Wings coach Todd McLellan said Monday that center Nate Danielson has done what the team expected by making the roster, and that it is now time for more. Speaking to reporters after practice, as reported by The Hockey News, McLellan said Danielson has “gotta take it up a notch.”
McLellan added that Danielson needs to perform at a higher level or the team would be asking too much of him, and that the club would like to see him chip in more offensively, as he has at earlier stops. He also acknowledged that the 2023 first-round pick (ninth overall) has dealt with circumstances that were not his fault, including a revolving set of linemates on the fourth line. Danielson has skated with Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, Mason Appleton, Carter Mazur, and Sheldon Dries through five games.
Danielson, for his part, said he could probably shoot more and, depending on his linemates, generate more time in the offensive zone.
Danielson has one assist in five games while averaging just under 10 minutes a night. He played 28 NHL games last season, with two goals and five assists, before returning to Grand Rapids, where an injury in mid-February ended his season after 18 AHL games.
The comments come as Detroit struggles to score. The Red Wings are 1-3-1 and were shut out for the second time this season Saturday, a 1-0 shootout loss at Montreal in which Canadiens goalie Jacob Fowler stopped all 30 shots and all six shootout attempts. Danielson took Detroit’s final attempt.
The Red Wings host the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Little Caesars Arena.
Leave a Reply