One of the difficult aspects of scouting and evaluating a player is trying to project where he fits. The difficulty takes on an entirely different level with a variety of factors, some of which hold more weight than others. This forward has an unusual path both in the past and going forward – and these aforementioned paths actually coincide with some familiar names.
Danny Nelson
Vitals
Date of Birth: August 3, 2005
Height: 6’3
Weight: 203 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Forward
2022-23 Season
Nelson spent the season with the US National Training Development Program (USNTDP). In 62 games, he scored 47 points (21 G, 26 A).
When Dustin’ the Boyle Burns, It Hurts Like Helge
A large contingent of players have played multiple positions. It always brings attention to the player, however, when they change positions during key developmental years. The 6-foot-3 forward started his career up front. Last year, however, the team’s need for a defenseman shifted him back to the blueline. However, as the USNTDP wasn’t short in that position this year, he was transitioned back to forward.
Avid Kings fans should recognize the path, as 2020 second-round pick Helge Grans was converted from forward to defenseman prior to Los Angeles drafting him. Going back a little further, there were three picks from 2003 who had to make a transition. Brian Boyle, Los Angeles’ 26th overall pick, was tried as a defender back at Boston College, before reverting back. Brent Burns (picked 20th) and Dustin Byfuglien (picked 245th) also alternated between positions before settling on defense.
Ring a Bell?
Once a player is too old to be part of the U-18 program, they move on to another league – usually they go the collegiate route. Nelson has opted to go to the NCAA, and is committed to the University of Notre Dame. While everyone has heard of this college, its a bit of a road less traveled. Since 1968, only 45 players have eventually made it to the major league. The Kings already have an alum on the roster – goaltender Cal Petersen.
Swiss Army Knife
The native of Maple Grove, MN already showed a lot of utility with the variety of positions he played. He has fitting international experience as well. This year, he scored 7 points (4 G, 3 A) in Switzerland when he competed for the U-18 World Junior Championship. However, that’s not the only time he played competitive hockey internationally. In the 2021-22 season, Nelson also played in Sweden when he was part of the Under-17 team.
Rankings by Independent Scouting Services
Ranked No 3 among Americans by Recruit Scouting. Gabriel Foley wrote, “Hey, a hot take! At least in the public sphere. Privately, Danny Nelson is already making NHL teams drool. And it’s not too dissimilar from the love Stramel is getting. Nelson is a large-frame centerman that can move smoothly and work around opponents. While he doesn’t have quite the flash of Stramel, his booming shot more than makes up for it. I am worried about Nelson’s motor, or lack thereof, especially on an NTDP team that isn’t going to give you anything more than you work for. But his talent shines through nonetheless. Not to be a criminal to recency but there is a real parallel between Nelson and the most-recent fifth overall pick Cutter Gauthier. I wonder if Nelson can find the edge that Gauthier did.
Sources have told me that Nelson is sat as the #1 American on some NHL team’s early boards.”
Ranked No. 34 by Bob McKenzie. The article itself adds no scouting report, but it bears repeating that McKenzie’s rankings come from polling a variety of scouts and adding up their rankings.
Ranked No. 53 by Future Considerations. In the linked report, Douglas Larson wrote “In my third and likely final viewing of Nelson this season, he exhibited many of the same tendencies and skill sets as in the previous two looks I had of him. His wide skating base and ability to fend off opponents while possessing the puck stood out once again, which should be a strong aspect of his game throughout his hockey career.”
See For Yourself
This is a shift-by-shift video of Danny Nelson playing against the Muskegon Lumberjacks.
Final Comments
Nelson provides quite a mix of what he is versus what he could be. He boasts plenty of size with his 6-foot-3 stature, which he uses to protect the puck and engage with the opposition physically. He’s strong on his skates and is difficult to knock off the puck. Mentally, the recently re-converted forward is quick to fall back and cover for defense in the event a blueliner pinches. Any player with these qualities shows an adaptability and a high floor. A casual hockey fan sees bottom-six players perform these tasks and carve out a solid NHL career.
As with any other player, however, there are flaws. The most notable drawback which plays a part in his upside is the limited creativity. There’s no flash to Nelson’s game. If he has the puck, he will use his body to keep you away from it. If the opposition has it, they better be ready to get hounded. That doesn’t make the Fighting Irish commit a bad player – players with lower creativity usually stick to a team’s structure and style of play better than a hockey player with zip in his game. On top of the creativity, his skating, while good for a bigger player, is still closer to average.
There is a very real possibility Nelson will be taken before Los Angeles picks. Yet, his skillset and size undoubtedly put him on the Kings’ short list. Rob Blake and Mark Yannetti, should the opportunity present itself, may want to consider brokering a trade to move up into the draft and bring him in. While another center isn’t needed in the organization, maybe he’ll want to switch back to defense again?
Chat with David: You can find him on Twitter @Davidenkness to talk more hockey.
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