Tough break for the Detroit Red Wings as promising rookie Nate Danielson got hurt during Saturday’s preseason game against the Buffalo Sabres.
Head coach Todd McLellan didn’t share exactly what happened or how long Danielson will be out.
The 19-year-old center was making quite an impression in training camp. He managed to score one of only seven Red Wings goals so far this preseason, averaging about 11 minutes of ice time across three games.
It’s especially frustrating timing for Danielson, who was really pushing for a spot on the NHL roster. Now he’s likely headed back to the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins once he’s healthy.
Last year with the Griffins, Danielson showed he’s got what it takes to play pro hockey. He worked his way up to become one of their top three centers, putting up 12 goals and 39 points in 71 games.
Before turning pro, he was absolutely dominant in junior hockey. Playing four years in the Western Hockey League, Danielson racked up an impressive 217 points in 199 games with his slick playmaking skills.
There’s better news about defenseman Simon Edvinsson, though. While he’ll miss the next two preseason games with a lower-body injury that’s kept him out of most of training camp, McLellan expects him back for opening night.
That’s huge for the Red Wings. Edvinsson was a workhorse last season, his first full year in the NHL. He averaged over 21 minutes per game and put up 31 points in 78 games.
Only Moritz Seider scored more points among Detroit defensemen, with 46.
If Edvinsson’s ready to go as expected, he’ll step right back into a major role on the blue line. And who knows? This could be the year he catches up to Seider in the scoring department.
