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

[vildurson]

He is n

I’m just highlight and stat watching but, how come this guy isn’t being talked about more?

NHL size, seems to have a good shot and can skate. And listed as a center? Feels like NHL teams will be drooling over this guy on draft day.

He is not your flashy magic hands creator type guy like Will Smith is for example. He is just a solid all rounder with decentish hands and great all around game.

Similar guys from this draft are Oliver Moore and maybe Calum Ritchie.

 

[Lavar Ball]

 

[95snipes]

It's kind of interesting that Danielson and Yager have the exact same stat line at this point.

36-18-26-44

I've seen Yager more, but he always jumps off the screen and Danielson has been relatively quiet in the viewings I've had.

I will say Danielson just looks like an NHL player. Skating, movement, positioning, shot, passing all look like a prototypical NHL player. Pretty easy projection, just not sure what the ultimate upside is.

 

[Lavar Ball]

1+2 in a 3-2 win over Portland tonight, generated a lot of chances in transition

 

[ValeriKamensky]

For me he’s one of the most underrated prospects so far.
Probably in another draft class would be absolutely top-5 choice.
Have a strange feeling that NHL scouts might value him more than an independent scouts. Absolutely coach dream

Based on EP he’s 185 cm (6’1) but based on eye test he looks bigger.
Also, is his shooting stats available? Seems like he should use his wrist more often

 

[QJL]

Started the season with 5 points in 8 games.

Since then…

49 points in 33 games = 1.48 ppg

I think he’s going to finish top 5 in WHL scoring.

He’s a fantastic 2 way player.

I have him going in the 5-10 range on draft day.

 

[Halfy]

The issue for him is he’s one of the oldest players in the draft class. For example: he’s like 9 months older than Bedard.

 

[kyle44]

The issue for him is he’s one of the oldest players in the draft class. For example: he’s like 9 months older than Bedard.

I don't really see how this is an issue. He's a few weeks older than Fantilli, for example. This is his first year eligible; it's not as if he's someone that was passed over and is having a breakout season (e.g., Tanner Pearson or Brett Leason). If scouts see better projectable skills than a player that is 9 months younger, that's all that will likely matter in the end.

 

[95snipes]

The issue for him is he’s one of the oldest players in the draft class. For example: he’s like 9 months older than Bedard.

Yeah, came to post basically the same thing. I'm not usually a stat watcher, but as an '04, 1.5 ppg should really be the expectation if you are talking top 10. That's where Connor Zary was as a past precedent. I see the appeal of Danielson though.

 

[MichaelFarrell]

Started the season with 5 points in 8 games.

Since then…

49 points in 33 games = 1.48 ppg

I think he’s going to finish top 5 in WHL scoring.

He’s a fantastic 2 way player.

I have him going in the 5-10 range on draft day.

Do you think he has enough offensive upside? I don’t know if he has the attributes to be a top 6 guys. Seems more like a middle 6 player to me. But, I do think he could be a center at the NHL level if he improves his skating a bit.

 

[QJL]

The issue for him is he’s one of the oldest players in the draft class. For example: he’s like 9 months older than Bedard.

Lots of older players at the top of the draft. Carlsson, Fantilli, Yager are all early birthdays. You can’t help when you were born.

He is probably the most complete two-way forward in the draft.

Do you think he has enough offensive upside? I don’t know if he has the attributes to be a top 6 guys. Seems more like a middle 6 player to me. But, I do think he could be a center at the NHL level if he improves his skating a bit.

I think his skating is solid. I do think he has a lower ceiling than Bedard, Fantilli, Carlsson, Benson - but that’s it from this forward class. He could could be a 1B/2A guy if peaks.

 

[Lavar Ball]

 

[FLAMESFAN]

I swear, there are 30 players that can go 10-20

I do think that Danielson is one of them.

 

[QJL]

I swear, there are 30 players that can go 10-20

I do think that Danielson is one of them.

I think it’s more like there are 10 players that can go 5-10, and Danielson is one of them.

 

[FLAMESFAN]

I think it’s more like there are 10 players that can go 5-10, and Danielson is one of them.

Both statements could be true!

 

[Frk It]

Do you think he has enough offensive upside? I don’t know if he has the attributes to be a top 6 guys. Seems more like a middle 6 player to me. But, I do think he could be a center at the NHL level if he improves his skating a bit.

I think he has a plus shot. Could see him being a good scorer at the next level with how he plays.

 

[MichaelFarrell]

I think he has a plus shot. Could see him being a good scorer at the next level with how he plays.

Yeah I think my opinion of him has changed a bit since that post your quoted. I think he has solid middle six potential as a center.

 

[landy92mack29]

He has way more than middle 6 potential, similar upside as PLD had at draft time.

 

[WeThreeKings]

He has way more than middle 6 potential, similar upside as PLD had at draft time.

Do you think he has the same size, robustness and power to his game as PLD? That's where I find the comparison hits a stall, but no comparison is ever a perfect fit.

 

[CowbellConray]

Is he similar to Dylan Cozens? I know Cozens was looked at as a strong second line center option that played a good two way game. Not sure if Nate carries the same traits?

 

[landy92mack29]

Do you think he has the same size, robustness and power to his game as PLD? That's where I find the comparison hits a stall, but no comparison is ever a perfect fit.

Style wise I've said a mix of 2 former Wheaties in Mark Stone and Brayden Schenn. Basically a slightly below ppg physical 2way guy. Points will obviously depend on role but he has the potential to be a every situation 20 minute a night guy in the nhl

 

[WeThreeKings]

Style wise I've said a mix of 2 former Wheaties in Mark Stone and Brayden Schenn. Basically a slightly below ppg physical 2way guy. Points will obviously depend on role but he has the potential to be a every situation 20 minute a night guy in the nhl

Brayden Schenn actually looks like a solid comparison.

 

[AMScouting]

Significant plays from one game of Danielson:

 

[macbowes]

- Great top speed.
- Average acceleration, needs to work on his first three strides.
- Okay agility, but he definitely needs work here. Sluggish stop and starts, and his cut backs are weak.
- Strong puck protector, good at using his size to shield the puck.
- Likes to attack the middle, and likes to drive the net. Unfazed by traffic.
- Okay touch, sometimes struggles to corral pucks. Needs to work on hand-eye and first touch.
- Okay vision, sometimes seems like he is rushed, which leads to turnovers.
- Physical player, who regularly finishes his checks and is happy to play through contact.

He's very strong, and has a lot of physical tools. I question his hands and hockey sense, but all prospects have issues. If he can work on his agility and his touch, I think he could be a very effective player, because he's big and strong enough to protect the puck and get to the inside, he just needs to be more agile and poised to do it more effectively in the NHL. I think he'd be a great pick as a mid first.

 

[WeThreeKings]

- Great top speed.
- Average acceleration, needs to work on his first three strides.
- Okay agility, but he definitely needs work here. Sluggish stop and starts, and his cut backs are weak.
- Strong puck protector, good at using his size to shield the puck.
- Likes to attack the middle, and likes to drive the net. Unfazed by traffic.
- Okay touch, sometimes struggles to corral pucks. Needs to work on hand-eye and first touch.
- Okay vision, sometimes seems like he is rushed, which leads to turnovers.
- Physical player, who regularly finishes his checks and is happy to play through contact.

He's very strong, and has a lot of physical tools. I question his hands and hockey sense, but all prospects have issues. If he can work on his agility and his touch, I think he could be a very effective player, because he's big and strong enough to protect the puck and get to the inside, he just needs to be more agile and poised to do it more effectively in the NHL. I think he'd be a great pick as a mid first.

As long as the team who drafts him has middle 6 expectations, he'll be a great pick. He definitely seems like the type of player you win with. Strong in all 3 zones, has surprising offense while being strong and committed defensively.

Best case is a ROR but more likely something like this years version of Sean Monahan.