Wing Wednesday: How Nate Danielson has impressed during preseason

The first-round pick likely won't be in the NHL this season. But the foundation is there.

The Detroit Red Wings play eight preseason games.

Even by the NHL’s ridiculous standards, most teams play six, it’s way too many.

This week, for example, Detroit plays three games in three nights, all on the road. An occurrence that isn’t even legal during the regular season because of the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement.

Perhaps the only positive of the loaded preseason schedule has been the opportunity for an extended look at Nate Danielson against semi-NHL competition.

Danielson was the Red Wings first-round pick back in June, going No. 9 overall. He played his fourth preseason game on Tuesday night, a 4-2 loss in Chicago, and statistically speaking Danielson has a goal and two assists in those showings.

Counting stats, however, aren’t going to show Danielson’s entire impact. At 19, his birthday was last week, Danielson already looks comfortable in all three zones amongst NHL competition. He skates well, takes smart routes throughout, and understands his role as a center to control the flow of his respective shift.