Danny Nelson goes to the Islanders at #49
Danny Nelson goes to the #Isles at 49! #2023NHLDraft https://t.co/TIEBc7ch9t pic.twitter.com/x94FFHqIdL
— Elite Prospects (@eliteprospects) June 29, 2023
by nothing_but_static
@New York Islanders
Danny Nelson goes to the Islanders at #49
Danny Nelson goes to the #Isles at 49! #2023NHLDraft https://t.co/TIEBc7ch9t pic.twitter.com/x94FFHqIdL
— Elite Prospects (@eliteprospects) June 29, 2023
by nothing_but_static
9 Comments
Damn, was hoping for either Dragicevic or Akey
Edit: Totally forgot about Heidt. Why did he fall so far? Some people had him going very late first round
What are those ratings out of? 10?
He says he styles his game after Brock Nelson and his favorite player is Zach Parise this is a dub
From Pronman “Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Player comparable: Radek Faksa
Background: Nelson played center and wing for the U.S. NTDP this season. The prior season he was a center for USA, but he played defense at Minnesota High School. He’s played a lot of defense and forward at various times coming up as an amateur. He was named player of the game of the gold medal game at the U18 worlds. He is committed to Notre Dame.
Analysis: Nelson’s toolkit is undeniably intriguing. He’s 6-foot-3, can skate, has good puck skills and can shoot the puck well. His work ethic is good, he has some physicality even if for a big guy I wish he was even harder. Nelson has shown he can kill penalties and was a go-to guy to kill penalties for the U18 team this season. I thought his actual play this season was inconsistent, and his lack of hockey sense showed at times around better players. Whoever drafts him will be drafting a lot of talent, and will have a unique opportunity to mold him into whatever position they think is best. He could be a third line center, a second/third pair defenseman or better at either position. He’s a unique case study, and there’s a case that he has a lot of room to develop, especially given how young he is relative to the draft class and the big jump in competition he made year over year.”
Brock’s son
Bring back Nielsen and Nilsson too. Let’s give butchie some fun
He plays both W and C and D. From the Hockey Writers:
“Danny Nelson used to be a defenseman, but has transitioned well to playing the wing and has worked his way into conversations of being drafted in the early rounds of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. He is a bigger winger standing at 6-foot-3, who uses his size well in protecting the puck in the offensive zone and has been decent in the faceoff dot. His east-to-west game in the O-zone is definitely stronger than his north-to-south, and his size and edgework make him a threat on the forecheck.
He’s more of a goalscorer than a playmaker, but still has decent playmaking ability, partially due to having soft hands for a bigger player. His shot is heavy and he has a quick release that could catch opposing goaltenders off guard. Nelson was able to find success playing for the United States Development Program in the United States Hockey League (USHL) despite being on a very deep team.
While his edgework is strong in the offensive zone, his pace of play is an area where he could look to improve upon. I think a lot of that is due to a lack of speed and acceleration, but at 17 years old he has time to work on it. His defensive consistency and compete level is something that has been lacking at times, but as a Notre Dame commit, his development shouldn’t be rushed.
Nelson’s draft rankings range from the later first round to the third round, and I could definitely see him falling in between to the middle of the second round. A team that’s in the latter stages of its championship contention window could look to snag him in that range. If that’s the case, he’ll have a lot of time to develop properly, since the team likely wouldn’t be ready for him in the next year or two and won’t need to rush him in. He could be used to help extend a window that could be close to closing; it could be a good situation for him to fall into when the time is right.
Quotables
“A former defenseman who has transitioned very nicely to a winger, who moves really well for a big man and also has soft mitts. He is a powerful skater with excellent balance who is tough to move off the puck. He is more of a complementary attacker – huge horse who eagerly does a lot of dirty work down low and creates more time and space for his more highly skilled linemates. He wins plenty of puck battles along the wall and behind the net. He will move out of them with power moves towards the net, and funnels pucks to the middle.” – Bill Placzek, Lines
“Nelson’s combination his big frame and being mobile enough to get around well is something I’ve yet to see in another draft eligible in this class… He’s a player that scouts and general managers will fall in love with come draft time, there’s not many I’ve seen like him. I think he can be a solid third line guy that can generate offense and possibly play up in the lineup when called upon. Nelson’s floor is high and has some upside to his game as well. I’d look to take him late in the first round or early in the second in the upcoming draft” – Douglas Larson (from ‘Nov. 11, 2023 Scouting Report of Danny Nelson,’ FC Hockey, Nov. 11, 2023).
I think Nelson has the upside to be a middle-six scoring winger. Ideally, he’d use his time collegiately to work on his defensive game, which could lead to a penalty-killing role down the line. If I’m building a team, I want my middle-six players to be able to play both secondary power play time and penalty-killing time, which requires that defensive responsibility. Even if he doesn’t become a penalty killer, just more consistency in the defensive zone will go a long way.
I could see him being a valuable power play asset, especially due to his size and in-zone ability. He will have a good career in the NHL if he’s able to hone in on his already present and growing offensive abilities, and can round out his game enough to be a reliable option late in games whether his team is trailing or holding onto a lead. He may not develop into a game-breaking superstar, but could be a strong complementary piece to a championship-winning team.”
Seems boom or bust.
Why have Anders and Brock in 4 years when you can 2 in 1?
I hope he wears #12 😂
Butch trying to remember two Nelsons would be peak commentary.
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Is it likely they see ice time together? Probably not, but god I’d love to see that.