Red Wings sign 2023 No. 9 pick to entry-level contract

The Detroit Red Wings have signed center Nate Danielson to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Danielson was taken ninth overall by the Red Wings in the 2023 NHL Draft. The Canadian spent the entirety of his season in the Western Hockey League with the Brandon Wheat Kings, where he had 33 goals, 45 assists and 78 points in 68 games. It was his first season as captain with the Wheat Kings. Overall, he registered 59 goals, 91 assists and 150 points in 145 regular-season games over three years.

Danielson’s top-end speed is among the best in the 2023 draft class. His transition game is a bit of a mixed bag, but he wins puck races and generates chances by outskating and outworking players in the offensive zone. On the rush, Danielson is excellent.

The Edmonton native has also represented Canada in international competition, winning bronze at the 2020 Youth Winter Olympic Games in Switzerland.

Danielson joins a prospect pool in Detroit consisting of Marco Kasper, Carter Mazur, Simon Edvinsson and more. The Red Wings finished with a 35-37-10 record in 2022-23, finishing with 80 points which was good for seventh in the Atlantic Division and 24th in the league. They missed the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season.

The Red Wings have been active in free agency, adding Alex Lyon, Justin Holl, James Reimer, Daniel Sprong, Christian Fischer and Shayne Gostisbehere, among others. The team also acquired Alex DeBrincat via trade. The club has $8.162 million in projected cap space with Joe Veleno, Jared McIsaac and Wyatt Newpower being the only RFAs left to sign.