Detroit Red Wings demote Nate Danielson among other re-assignments

This fall was a golden opportunity for Nate Danielson, but his inability to cash in led to a demotion.The 2023 first-round pick was assigned by the Detroit Red Wings to the Grand Rapids Griffins on Sunday, Nov. 8, along with goaltender Michal Postava and forward John Leonard. Postava's re-assignment was expected, as John Gibson has healed from the lower-body injury that forced him to leave after the first period against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Nov. 3. Leonard's re-assignment is an indication either or both of Marco Kasper and Mason Appleton, out for a month with injuries, are ready to return when the Wings next play, Tuesday at the St. Louis Blues.[ Red Wings' promise vs top teams should spark some sort of Larkin move ]Danielson being included in the group isn't a surprise, either, but it is not a good development for the young forward. The 22-year-old, drafted at No. 9 overall three years ago, had a great chance as the Wings began 2026-27 to grab a spot, what with the Wings in desperate need of someone to step up at center, where they are thin on depth and with Dylan Larkin suspended by the team. But Danielson never showed the assertiveness the Wings needed to see from him. He was in and out of the lineup as a result, and had just two points, both assists, and a minus-7 rating after 13 appearances. TRENDING: Wings 'didn't deal well with our emotions' in ColoradoThe Wings did not practice Sunday, but coach Todd McLellan spoke about Danielson (6 feet 2, 196 pounds) a couple of weeks ago."He's a really good, honest player," McLellan said Oct. 21. "He wants to do well. I think sometimes you play so that you don't err. That's probably not the best way of approaching it."The Wings wanted to see Danielson establish his value in the lineup the way Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and Anton Johansson have come in and done this fall, but given his struggles to do so, Danielson will now continue his development in the minors.Contact Helene St. James at Hstjames@freepress.com. Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Red Wings demote Nate Danielson among other re-assignments