Could Nate Danielson be the NHL Draft’s biggest first-round sleeper?

NASHVILLE – The most common word used to describe Nate Danielson’s game? “Boring.” And that’s OK.

You’re never going to see him getting worked up over a hit. He’ll show flashes of skill, but it’s the meat and potatoes that make him who he is. Off the ice, he’s just a calm, collected teenager that likes to golf in his free time.

Nothing groundbreaking there. And neither is his game. But if you’re looking for a “safe” prospect with the potential to be a consistent, valuable contributor for many years to come, Danielson might be your guy.

Danielson really established himself with Canada at the 2020 Youth Olympics, pitting the best 15- and 16-year-olds across the globe. Canada’s team featured Adam Fantilli, Matthew Savoie, Ty Nelson and Denton Mateychuk, among others. Danielson finished third in scoring for the Canadians that year.

This past season, Danielson, a center, had 33 goals and 78 points with the Brandon Wheat Kings, giving the WHL yet another high-profile draft prospect. He built his success on the two-way play, rush offense and charging up the ice at speed. Few WHLers were as confident bringing the puck into the offensive zone this year. Sure, highlight-reel players were far and few between, but that doesn’t matter when you score like he does, right?

And that’s what he does so well. He’s a versatile offensive threat—he’s one of the more effective slot passers in the first round, and he uses his quick skating to create chances for himself. Danielson is also a leader, becoming the Wheat Kings’ captain at just 17 years old this season. That’s rare air for a draft prospect, where the focus needs to be on doing everything it takes to stand out. But Danielson handled it with pride, and it clearly didn’t deter him from production.

“When he speaks, his teammates listen,” a Western scout said. “He’s calling plays, getting everyone in position, and then executes. He’s a coach’s dream.”

Danielson’s top-end speed is among the leaders near the top end of the draft. 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.

“My skating and my hockey IQ are two of my biggest strengths,” Danielson said. “I think my 200-foot game is something that I’ve always had, too.”

When it comes to attacking defensemen to force a turnover, Danielson’s game tends to trail off. Scouts want to see a bit more intensity out there —he has the size to push players over, but he doesn’t use it enough. Game-to-game consistency can be difficult, too.

“I like the nuance in his game, and you can always find positives in some fashion each night,” a scout said. “But there are enough outings where you’re just waiting for him to take that next step, and it doesn’t come.”

Still, Danielson’s commitment to defense will keep him employed. Think Dylan Cozens, someone Danielson watches closely. Cozens exploded offensively this year, and while I’m not sure if Danielson will have the same offensive impact, but he’s a guy you can throw in most situations and feel confident in the effort you’re getting out of him.

Our final mock draft has Danielson at No. 10 to St. Louis, while our top 150 draft rankings have him at No. 14. Anywhere in the No. 9-20 range would make sense, depending on a team’s vision of him. Some scouts rank him outside the top 20 because they think his ceiling isn’t that high. That might be true, but his floor is solid. If you’re not looking to take risks, Danielson is a solid option.

Nothing about Danielson’s game will blow you away. But what you’re getting is a player that’s easily projectable with a solid skillset. He has speed, a good penchant for the net, plays a dedicated defensive game and is a born leader. He’s above average in anything, which is better than most. An NHL coach won’t have to reinvent Danielson to get the most out of him. What you’re seeing is what you’ll get. And that’s a versatile forward with a solid future ahead of him.

Boring? Sure. Effective? Absolutely.