NHL.com Rates Nate Danielson as Red Wings Top Young Forward

NHL.com rates Nate Danielson ahead of Marco Kasper in its ranking of the Detroit Red Wings’ prospects heading into the 2024-25 season.

Danielson was ranked No. 2 behind defenseman Simon Edvinsson on Nick Cotsonika’s list. Detroit Hockey Now didn’t rank Edvinsson on our prospect list because he was playing regularly in Detroit at the end of last season. He projects as a starter for 2024-25.

Cotsonika lists Kasper at No. 3 behind Edvinsson and Danielson. He has 2024 first-round draft pick Michael Brandsegg-Nygard at No. 4, followed by former collegiate standout Carter Mazur at No. 5

That differs significantly from the DHN list of Kasper at No. 1, defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka at No. 2, followed by Norwegian Brandsegg-Nygard at No. 3, Danielson at No. 4 and Mazur at No. 5.

Yzerman Won’t Rush Kasper or Danielson

The difference in the list speaks to the reality that Detroit has a collection of high-end prospects. It’s splitting hairs to rank them. We selected Kasper No. 1 based on how impressed the Red Wings were with how solidly he performed in the second half of last season and AHL playoffs. By the end of the season, he was playing like an impact player.

At the same time, Danielson has the offensive potential to earn the No. 2 center spot ahead of Kasper. Scouts also tell us that Brandsegg-Nygard has top six potential. We have Sandin Pellikka rated highly because he enjoyed one of the best seasons ever in the Swedish Hockey League by a teenage defenseman. Defensemen with slick puck-moving skills are hard to find.

Another interesting aspect of Cotsonika’s story is he has Kasper, Danielson and Mazur coming to Detroit in 2025-26. That fits into the Steve Yzerman’s plan that youngsters should not be promoted before they are completely ready. However, it is also plausible that Kasper, and maybe Danielson and Mazur could earn a promotion this season. That could happen if they play well in Grand Rapids and Detroit is beset by injuries.