F Nate Danielson - Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL (2023, 9th, DET)

[Ace]

Pretty much a lock to make the team for up to 9 games I'd say.

Pretty much huh?

 

[Our Lady Peace]

Pretty much huh?

Pretty much.

 

[Petes2424]

First game back and looks a lot like last year unfortunately. Danielson vs the other team. On the ice constantly. Playing a great game. Tons of penalty kills. By far the best player on the ice and it’s not even close. Just hasn’t been able to get one yet. Still no score going into OT.

Was told yesterday, don’t be shocked if he ends up in Saskatoon.. Kelowna I heard Friday night but Saskatoon does make alot of sense too. They seem to be ready to load up with the other moves they made and didn’t have to give up any high picks.

Personally I think Brandon should watch how things unfold as the Xmas break approaches, but Saskatoon and Kelowna were the two teams I’ve heard.. Whether Detroit has anything to do with pushing for a move, can’t say. One thing of note, the Wheat Kings are selling him the last couple of days in media spots, etc. So that would lead one to believe they’re keeping him for now.

Brandon has to decide if they wanna make a run this year, or get a boatload for Danielson and have a really strong team for the next 2-3 years. We should know where he’s gonna be by the end of World Juniors.

Edit- scored game winner in OT.

 

[Dominance]

First game back and looks a lot like last year unfortunately. Danielson vs the other team. On the ice constantly. Playing a great game. Tons of penalty kills. By far the best player on the ice and it’s not even close. Just hasn’t been able to get one yet. Still no score going into OT.

Was told yesterday, don’t be shocked if he ends up in Saskatoon.. Kelowna I heard Friday night but Saskatoon does make alot of sense too. They seem to be ready to load up with the other moves they made and didn’t have to give up any high picks.

Personally I think Brandon should watch how things unfold as the Xmas break approaches, but Saskatoon and Kelowna were the two teams I’ve heard.. Whether Detroit has anything to do with pushing for a move, can’t say. One thing of note, the Wheat Kings are selling him the last couple of days in media spots, etc. So that would lead one to believe they’re keeping him for now.

Brandon has to decide if they wanna make a run this year, or get a boatload for Danielson and have a really strong team for the next 2-3 years. We should know where he’s gonna be by the end of World Juniors.

Edit- scored game winner in OT.

And it was f***ing nasty.

https://x.com/thewhl/status/1712312887065415818?s=46

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

 

[AD1066]

Well, I feel slightly better about passing on Benson now.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Well, I feel slightly better about passing on Benson now.

You'll feel a lot better by season's end.

I think both are comparable level as prospects but with Detroit's greater need being center Danielson makes way more sense.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Didn’t like him very much pre-draft. But he’s looked better and better since I decided I didn’t love his game lol. Looked like a top 10 pick all preseason.

 

[Barry Amsterdam]

total shtud

 

[Hale The Villain]

You'll feel a lot better by season's end.

I think both are comparable level as prospects but with Detroit's greater need being center Danielson makes way more sense.

I don't know about that.

Danielson looks like he has all the makings of a good top 6 forward, but Benson looks like a potential superstar.

 

[Ezekial]

I don't know about that.

Danielson looks like he has all the makings of a good top 6 forward, but Benson looks like a potential superstar.

Maybe. Or Danielson could develop into a great 2 way 1C and top 10 center in the league and turn out to be the definitive better pick for us.

 

[Hale The Villain]

Maybe. Or Danielson could develop into a great 2 way 1C and top 10 center in the league and turn out to be the definitive better pick for us.

Oh sure, but one is more likely than the other.

I do agree Danielson is a better fit and is the kind of player that Yzerman loves, so even if Benson likely ends up the better player I don't think the Wings will be crushed.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I don't know about that.

Danielson looks like he has all the makings of a good top 6 forward, but Benson looks like a potential superstar.

What are your projections for Danielson, and what are your projections for Benson? Production, slot in the lineup, defensive impacts?

 

[ricky0034]

I would question the better fit thing to be honest

the Wings already have Larkin and Kasper long term who project pretty similar to Danielson

not to mention Copp and Compher and whatever other similar guys they pick up off of the free agent market in the future

they don't really have anyone that can bring what Benson will other than possibly Raymond but that's looking like a tossup at best at this point

 

[Ezekial]

Oh sure, but one is more likely than the other.

I do agree Danielson is a better fit and is the kind of player that Yzerman loves, so even if Benson likely ends up the better player I don't think the Wings will be crushed.

Why? Because Benson "seems" like a superstar in your opinion?

Watching Nate Danielson I see an extremely responsible C with more offensive upside than you do. Putting a team on your back is hard.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I would question the better fit thing to be honest

the Wings already have Larkin and Kasper long term who project pretty similar to Danielson

not to mention Copp and Compher and whatever other similar guys they pick up off of the free agent market in the future

they don't really have anyone that can bring what Benson will other than possibly Raymond but that's looking like a tossup at best at this point

Centers can and often make the easy transition to wing.

Wings do not often make an easy transition to center.

And explain what Benson "brings". Describe the expectations, point production, defensive, impacts, 1st, 2nd, 3rd line projection, etc. Do you think Benson is an 80+ point winger? A top 5% point producer in the league?

 

[raymond23]

I don't know about that.

Danielson looks like he has all the makings of a good top 6 forward, but Benson looks like a potential superstar.

The most overrated prospect in hockey

 

[Tetsuo]

Danielson was probably the most underrated prospect coming into the draft. He's looked nothing less than a guy who should have been in the top tier of his class since being drafted. His speed, skill and shot have all popped on top of his great two way play.

 

[RedHawkDown]

Centers can and often make the easy transition to wing.

Wings do not often make an easy transition to center.

And explain what Benson "brings". Describe the expectations, point production, defensive, impacts, 1st, 2nd, 3rd line projection, etc. Do you think Benson is an 80+ point winger? A top 5% point producer in the league?

I think Danielson is tracking to be a 1C , and I think the potential for a Bergeron level guy is there. I’m excited.

But I’ll bite as a Wings fan. Benson brings best-in-class hockey IQ, second maybe only to Michkov, along with an elite motor, great hands, intensity/drive, and a solid shot. He is also very responsible and engaged defensively. I would project 80-90pt seasons for him throughout his prime. I was banging the table for him at the draft and I don’t think I’ll be wrong about him.

They can both be good. Benson doesn’t have to disappoint for Danielson to be a good pick.

 

[Indrid Cold]

I think Danielson is tracking to be a 1C , and I think the potential for. Bergeron level guy is there. I’m excited.

But I’ll Vite as a Wings fan. Benson brings best-in-class hockey IQ, second maybe only to Michkov, along with an elite motor, great hands, intensity/drive, and a solid shot. He is also very responsible and engaged defensively. I would project 80-90pt seasons for him throughout his prime.

They can both be good. Benson doesn’t have to disappoint for Danielson to be a good pick.

Say Danielson tops out at a Larkin level player. The question is, can Detroit win the Cup with 2 Larkins, at 1C and 2C?

 

[Michoulicious]

I think Danielson is tracking to be a 1C , and I think the potential for. Bergeron level guy is there. I’m excited.

But I’ll Vite as a Wings fan. Benson brings best-in-class hockey IQ, second maybe only to Michkov, along with an elite motor, great hands, intensity/drive, and a solid shot. He is also very responsible and engaged defensively. I would project 80-90pt seasons for him throughout his prime.

They can both be good. Benson doesn’t have to disappoint for Danielson to be a good pick.

Bergeron level?

C'mon now. Bergeron is a hall of famer. If Danielson is already after his 1st pro training camp penciled to become a 90 points elite defensive C, he should have been picked #1 or #2 OA.

It's ok to be a fan, but these expectations are not realistic.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Bergeron level?

C'mon now. Bergeron is a hall of famer. If Danielson is already after his 1st pro training camp penciled to become a 90 points elite defensive C, he should have been picked #1 or #2 OA.

It's ok to be a fan, but these expectations are not realistic.

Bergeron never had over 80 points

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

Bergeron never had over 80 points

Was about to say, when the hell was Bergeron ever a 90 point player lol.

 

[Joe Hallenback]

First game back and looks a lot like last year unfortunately. Danielson vs the other team. On the ice constantly. Playing a great game. Tons of penalty kills. By far the best player on the ice and it’s not even close. Just hasn’t been able to get one yet. Still no score going into OT.

Was told yesterday, don’t be shocked if he ends up in Saskatoon.. Kelowna I heard Friday night but Saskatoon does make alot of sense too. They seem to be ready to load up with the other moves they made and didn’t have to give up any high picks.

Personally I think Brandon should watch how things unfold as the Xmas break approaches, but Saskatoon and Kelowna were the two teams I’ve heard.. Whether Detroit has anything to do with pushing for a move, can’t say. One thing of note, the Wheat Kings are selling him the last couple of days in media spots, etc. So that would lead one to believe they’re keeping him for now.

Brandon has to decide if they wanna make a run this year, or get a boatload for Danielson and have a really strong team for the next 2-3 years. We should know where he’s gonna be by the end of World Juniors.

Edit- scored game winner in OT.

Brandon isn't going to trade him. I expect Brandon to try and land a player or two before the deadline to make a run with this group. They have a lot of skill up front, they need to add a D or two and they likely have the best goalie in the league.

 

[RedHawkDown]

Say Danielson tops out at a Larkin level player. The question is, can Detroit win the Cup with 2 Larkins, at 1C and 2C?

I think he will be better than Larkin.

Bergeron level?

C'mon now. Bergeron is a hall of famer. If Danielson is already after his 1st pro training camp penciled to become a 90 points elite defensive C, he should have been picked #1 or #2 OA.

It's ok to be a fan, but these expectations are not realistic.

Nobody said it’s an expectation or he’s pencilled in. I said he has the potential. Which I think he does.