Detroit Red Wings rookie Nate Danielson delivered the most memorable performance of his young career Tuesday night, scoring his first NHL goal, seeing his second waved off, and later adding a smooth power play assist to former Griffins linemate Emmitt Finnie for a two point night against the Seattle Kraken.

Danielson officially got on the board by giving Detroit a 2-1 lead early in the second period. Fellow rookie Axel Sandin Pellikka sent a low shot from the point that changed direction twice.

Milestone: Red Wings Rookie Nate Danielson Scores First NHL Goal (VIDEO) Detroit Red Wings rookie forward Nate Danielson has scored his first National Hockey League goal, netting the milestone on Tuesday evening.

It first deflected off Seattle forward Mason Appleton and then off Danielson’s knee pad as he battled for position in front of the crease. The redirected puck slipped past Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord and shifted the momentum in Detroit’s favor.

Minutes later it looked as though Danielson had scored again. He pressured a Kraken defenseman into a turnover at the blue line, collected the puck and skated in alone.

He pulled the puck through his legs and beat Daccord with a quick forehand move for what appeared to be a highlight reel tap in.

Ryan Hana (@RyanHanaWWP) on XNate Danielson with a beautiful play to score his 2nd career goal (under 3 minutes after his 1st), but sadly it was called back after offside review. Cruel. #LGRW

The celebration was short lived when officials reviewed the play and ruled it offside because rookie winger Emmitt Finnie had entered the zone ahead of the puck.

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Danielson quickly shook off the disappointment. On a Detroit power play later in the period he delivered a sharp cross crease pass to Finnie, who converted for the Red Wings. The play reunited the chemistry the pair displayed with the Grand Rapids Griffins and added another milestone to Danielson’s night.

Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) on XBeauty.

His path to this moment has been steady as Detroit drafted Danielson ninth overall in 2023 after an impressive junior career with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL. In his final season he led the team with 33 goals and 45 assists for 78 points in 68 games.

The year before he produced 57 points and he finished his WHL career with 150 points overall. In his first full professional season with Grand Rapids the previous year he recorded 12 goals and 27 assists for 39 points in 71 games.

Detroit signed him to an entry level contract in July 2023. He impressed again in the 2024 preseason with a goal and two assists in three games before an upper body injury sidelined him. Once cleared he returned to Grand Rapids and immediately contributed one goal and four assists in his first four AHL games.

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The Red Wings recalled him November 9 and he made his NHL debut that same day against the Chicago Blackhawks. After going scoreless in his first four NHL outings he broke through on Tuesday with a performance that showcased the skill, confidence and poise Detroit has envisioned since drafting him.

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