Jeremy Laura: Nate Danielson signs ELC

If Danielson doesn't make the team he most likely goes back to juniors correct? Real long shot of him making the team this year. But the Wings organization obviously is high on him. Excited to see this kid grow....

And he need to get on a better junior team..... or go to Switzerland or Sweden.

If Danielson doesn't make the team he most likely goes back to juniors correct? Real long shot of him making the team this year. But the Wings organization obviously is high on him. Excited to see this kid grow....
- TheSeer

He has zero chance of making the team this year.

He has zero chance of making the team this year.
- Feds91Stammer

I tend to agree. Yzerman seems to want first rounders to have a development year wherever they are, but I also don’t think this is a kid that’s going to jump ahead of the pros in his first camp. I’d love to be wrong but I see this as a development season

If Danielson doesn't make the team he most likely goes back to juniors correct? Real long shot of him making the team this year. But the Wings organization obviously is high on him. Excited to see this kid grow....

If he doesn't make the NHL this season (and he won't), the Red Wings are obligated to return him to juniors per the NHL-CHL transfer agreement. He would not be eligible for the AHL (or any other professional league other than the NHL) until the following season.

Hopefully the Wheat Kings can surround him with better players this season.

He has zero chance of making the team this year.
- Feds91Stammer

Thanks for clarifying.

Hopefully the Wheat Kings can surround him with better players this season.
- todd3066

If that's the case I agree. Apparently last two seasons the Wheat Kings have been bad? Otherwise he could be traded to another junior team...

Hopefully the Wheat Kings can surround him with better players this season.
- todd3066

You’re right on the transfer agreement. The only argument I’ve heard in keeping it is about $$$. Those players that are drafted help bring more fans, sell more swag etc. I just don’t feel like it’s got the same development potential as the SHL. Even if they worked out at deal with just the ECHL that would at least be something. Let the player level up if they’re ready and vice versa. A new kind of 2 way deal could be implemented between those leagues that excluded any contact with the AHL. Opinion only, but it feels like a limiting model for some players.

You’re right on the transfer agreement. The only argument I’ve heard in keeping it is about $$$. Those players that are drafted help bring more fans, sell more swag etc. I just don’t feel like it’s got the same development potential as the SHL. Even if they worked out at deal with just the ECHL that would at least be something. Let the player level up if they’re ready and vice versa. A new kind of 2 way deal could be implemented between those leagues that excluded any contact with the AHL. Opinion only, but it feels like a limiting model for some players.
- Jeremy Laura

I agree completely. He's topped out in Juniors. The Wings will tell him to continue to focus on areas of his game to improve... but realistically what more is he going to learn there ? He'd be better off in a higher league whether it's ECHL, SHL... anywhere. Heck... Tatar was 18 years old his first year in Grand Rapids.

I agree completely. He's topped out in Juniors. The Wings will tell him to continue to focus on areas of his game to improve... but realistically what more is he going to learn there ? He'd be better off in a higher league whether it's ECHL, SHL... anywhere. Heck... Tatar was 18 years old his first year in Grand Rapids.
- Vladdie_Kon1

Absolutely. There has to be an amenable way to open up opportunities of kids who max out their junior development. Man, I miss Tatar. Yes, undersized etc. but he was fun to watch both in GR and in Detroit

I agree completely. He's topped out in Juniors. The Wings will tell him to continue to focus on areas of his game to improve... but realistically what more is he going to learn there ? He'd be better off in a higher league whether it's ECHL, SHL... anywhere. Heck... Tatar was 18 years old his first year in Grand Rapids.
- Vladdie_Kon1

I wouldn’t say a guy who didn’t even crack 80 points topped out in juniors.

Points aren't everything, high hockey IQ was mentioned, just one of the many intangibles that aren't counted by points. Maybe he excelled as much as possible in juniors in other areas.

Points aren't everything, high hockey IQ was mentioned, just one of the many intangibles that aren't counted by points. Maybe he excelled as much as possible in juniors in other areas.
- mplackitt

Lmaoo you just stepped in a big pile of poop. Enjoy your shellacking.
Can’t believe this guy thinks he can actually post his opinion here 😆😆😆😆

Thanks for clarifying.
- TheSeer

😆😆😆😆

You’re right on the transfer agreement. The only argument I’ve heard in keeping it is about $$$. Those players that are drafted help bring more fans, sell more swag etc. I just don’t feel like it’s got the same development potential as the SHL. Even if they worked out at deal with just the ECHL that would at least be something. Let the player level up if they’re ready and vice versa. A new kind of 2 way deal could be implemented between those leagues that excluded any contact with the AHL. Opinion only, but it feels like a limiting model for some players.
- Jeremy Laura

One possible developmental argument (not sure I agree with it, truthfully, but it's debatable) in favor of the transfer agreement is that 16 and 17 year old players benefit from having AHL-caliber drafted 18 and 19 year olds still in the league.

If you look at an isolated case of a single high end prospect, yes, he might be better off in the AHL than the CHL. But if the CHL routinely lost a few dozen of its most talented still-eligible players each year, then it might mean future prospects are less polished by the time they reach draft age.

Personally i think the agreement between the NHL and CHL should be changed so that top 10 drafted players can play in the AHL/ECHL or wherever the team and player feel is best for him.

That being said, sometimes those drafted players are not even done with high school and have a year left of it when they get drafted. Sometimes we forget about that. They at least need to finish high school before turning pro. This doesn't really apply to Danielson since he was one of the oldest prospects in the draft and will turn 19 in early September. This is another reason i wasn't that fond of that pick (that and the lower ceiling).

We'll see how it goes, hope he does well but i still wish they would have picked Benson instead. Wings track record with WHL players isn't exactly good either or at least it wasn't under Holland:

Rasmussen.
Cholowski.
Barton.
Zablocki.
Turgeon.
Ferraro.

Not exactly a star filled list with Helm being the last decent guy drafted from the WHL in 2005. Hopefully Yzerman has better scouts now watching that league.

Points aren't everything, high hockey IQ was mentioned, just one of the many intangibles that aren't counted by points. Maybe he excelled as much as possible in juniors in other areas.
- mplackitt

Sure they aren’t everything but it’s the most telling stat in regards to having outgrown the league you’re playing in.

I wouldn’t say a guy who didn’t even crack 80 points topped out in juniors.
- Feds91Stammer

Agree, he has more work to do before he is ready to play with professional men. Am I reading that most people fill that Danielson is now ahead of Kaspar and Mazur?

I wouldn’t say a guy who didn’t even crack 80 points topped out in juniors.
- Feds91Stammer

I get what you're saying about his points... my point is if the kid projects to be an elite player it would be nice to have another option for him to see if he can play in the ECHL, SHL, etc... and give the GM another option. It may not work out for every player... but it could be beneficial for some of the top 10 draft picks. If Tatar at 18 can come to GR... I have no issue with Danielson at 19 testing out a different league either. Kasper played in the SHL for the -18 and -20 leagues... not sure if Yzerman would do the same with Danielson but having the option could be beneficial.

Agree, he has more work to do before he is ready to play with professional men. Am I reading that most people fill that Danielson is now ahead of Kaspar and Mazur?
- Goalie Dad

I definitely wouldn’t have him above Kasper at this time.

I get what you're saying about his points... my point is if the kid projects to be an elite player it would be nice to have another option for him to see if he can play in the ECHL, SHL, etc... and give the GM another option. It may not work for every player... but it could be beneficial for some of the top 10 draft picks. If Tatar at 18 can come to GR... I have no issue with Danielson at 19 testing out a different league either. I did hear that Kasper is going to the SHL this season... not Juniors.
- Vladdie_Kon1

I get what you’re saying about options but I don’t feel returning to the WHL will deter his development.

Kasper is GR bound. Not sure how he would go to juniors.

Tatar came at 18 because he could. It’s just how the CHL agreement works. Tatar also already played pro hockey for a full season before that and it wouldn’t have hurt him to play another season in the Slovak league.

I definitely don’t think Danielson is a guy where you can make a case on the CHL agreement being bad.

I get what you’re saying about options but I don’t feel returning to the WHL will deter his development.

Kasper is GR bound. Not sure how he would go to juniors.

Tatar came at 18 because he could. It’s just how the CHL agreement works. Tatar also already played pro hockey for a full season before that and it wouldn’t have hurt him to play another season in the Slovak league.

I definitely don’t think Danielson is a guy where you can make a case on the CHL agreement being bad.
- Feds91Stammer

I don't think the CHL agreement is bad per se... but it would be nice if they could modify it to allow certain players more options if the GM feels the player is ready to try a different league... just my 2 cents.

It will be interesting to see how Kasper does in GR... it will give me more incentive to go to some games this season. Griffins have been terrible the last few years... especially the goaltending. The coaching change was long overdue. Hoping Soderblom starts to really put his game together and exceeds expectations. He was told by management they want him to be more physically involved... we'll see if that happens. Edvinsson is going to be a stud defensman for the Wings... only a matter of time. Johansson had a solid season last year... Still haven't figured out why Reimer was signed... Lyon seems like the better goaltender.

I definitely wouldn’t have him above Kasper at this time.
- Feds91Stammer

Totally agree, Kaspar is 1, it would be great if Danielson was so good he bumped him from that spot. I think Mazur might be ahead of him because he would line up as a winger and plays a bit more physical.