Red Wings assign Nate Danielson to Grand Rapids Griffins

The Detroit Red Wings have sent 21-year-old forward Nate Danielson back to the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins, a move that returns a promising young playmaker to the Griffins' top end of the roster and reshapes both clubs' short-term depth charts. Danielson brings NHL experience from this season and proven AHL production that should translate into immediate impact on Grand Rapids' power play and top-six minutes.

Danielson, a 6-foot-2, 195-pound winger, logged seven points (2-5-7) and four penalty minutes in 28 games for Detroit during the 2025-26 season. He also collected five points (1-4-5), a plus-two rating and four penalty minutes in four games with Grand Rapids to begin the campaign before the recent stint with the Red Wings. Those early-season AHL numbers suggest he was already settling into a leading role with the Griffins before returning full time.

The assignment reunites the Griffins with a player who spent the entire 2024-25 season in Grand Rapids and finished among the club leaders in a number of categories. Danielson played 71 games last season, ranking second on the team, and posted 39 points (12 goals, 27 assists) with a plus-four rating. He was also a factor on special teams, contributing two power-play goals and nine power-play points while firing 127 shots, fifth-most on the club. Danielson added a goal and nine penalty minutes across three Calder Cup Playoff games, showing a willingness to mix physical play with offensive work.

Selected ninth overall by Detroit in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Danielson made his professional debut as a 19-year-old during the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs, appearing in two Central Division Final games against Milwaukee. Across his Griffins tenure, he has compiled 44 points (13 goals, 31 assists) with a plus-six rating in 75 regular-season AHL games, alongside 37 penalty minutes.

Danielson's junior resume underscores the offensive ceiling the Griffins are getting back. He tallied 67 points in 54 games split between the WHL's Brandon Wheat Kings and Portland Winterhawks in 2023-24, and he captained Brandon in 2022-23 while earning a spot on the WHL East Division Second All-Star Team. He also represented Canada at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, adding three points in five games.

For Griffins fans, the practical value is straightforward: a 21-year-old with size, playmaking chops and recent NHL minutes returns to push for top-line minutes, strengthen the power play, and provide a reliable option during the playoff stretch. Expect coach to slot him into key offensive situations while tracking usage to keep his development on pace for another NHL look.

Our two cents? Keep an eye on the Griffins' special teams and early-period deployments — Danielson's presence should ripple through the lineup and make upcoming home games must-see for anyone following Grand Rapids' Calder Cup aspirations.