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DETROIT — The Detroit Red Wings aren’t holding a roster spot open for Nate Danielson this season.

However, they will provide the 19-year-old with every opportunity to win one during next month’s training camp.

The Red Wings require young forwards to step up and deliver depth scoring in the 2024-25 season. Danielson, who was picked by Detroit as the No. 9 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, has demonstrated his readiness to take a shot during the team’s development camp in July.

“Dan Cleary, the assistant director of player development for the Red Wings, praised Nate’s recent performance, saying, ‘He had an outstanding season, and he ranked first in our conditioning tests here. Nate is a focused and motivated young man who is beginning to show his true potential. His hard work is evident and he is in great shape. There’s not much more that can be said about his excellent performance.'”

Danielson has just completed his fourth season in the Western Hockey League, where he accumulated 67 points (24 goals, 43 assists) in 54 games playing for Brandon and Portland. In addition, he scored 24 points (seven goals, 17 assists) in 18 playoff games, aiding Portland in reaching the WHL final. In the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, he represented Canada and earned three points (one goal, two assists) in five games.

His first experience of playing as a professional was most notably marked by his participation in two American Hockey League playoff games with Grand Rapids.

During developmental camp, Danielson stated, “That was a beneficial experience for me. As I make the transition to professional play next year, I am now familiar with the game’s pace. Everyone is older, bigger, and stronger, so having a clear idea of what to expect is definitely advantageous.”

Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman knows his team has to find more offense within the system, so players like Danielson and forwards Carter Mazur and Marco Kasper, who both played for Grand Rapids last season, will get a good look during training camp.

“Those players will need to make significant progress, which is possible if they perform well over the summer and preseason,” said Yzerman. “We expect that most of these young talents will begin in Grand Rapids, although I don’t have a rigid rule about this.”

“If we are at camp and it appears they want to participate, we’ll locate a place for them.”

Last year, Danielson performed well in camp and stated that he sees no obstacle to repeating the same performance this year.

“He said, “You aim to better yourself each year. Since last year, I’ve become a better person and player, thanks to all the new experiences I’ve gone through.”

Being 6-foot-2 and weighing 185 pounds, he could gain benefits from a complete season in the Red Wings’ strength program. Furthermore, a full season in the AHL could offer him experience that he wouldn’t be able to acquire in the WHL.

However, Danielson stated that his ambitions are aimed even higher.

“He expressed his self-belief, saying, “I think I can make it.”