Red Wings Prospects Notebook: Griffins Hanas Knows His Number is up

It was his number long before he became a Detroit Red Wings prospect, but Cross Hanas knows for sure when the day comes that he makes the grade as an NHLer with the Wings, it won’t be the number he’ll be wearing on his back.

That’s because Grand Rapids Griffins forward Hanas wears No. 71, the same digits as Detroit captain Dylan Larkin.

Cross Hanas gets his first goal of the season tonight!

It’s wild with how hard he’s been playing that this is just his first. He broke the ice now watch him explode over the next few games! #GoGRG #LGRW pic.twitter.com/iEBowogDXz

— Hockeytown West Podcast (@HockeytownWpod) October 22, 2023

“It’s the number I’ve worn since I was a little kid, but I know I’m not going to get that (number in Detroit) obviously, and I don’t want it,” Hanas said. “It’s totally fine. I’ll write another story.

“I won’t even ask Larks for it. Not even close.”

During preseason games with the Red Wings, Hanas wore No. 74.

Danielson Heating Up

Detroit’s top pick in the 2023 NHL entry draft at ninth overall, center Nate Danielson is getting into a groove with the WHL Brandon Wheat Kings. Following a slow start that saw him garner just a goal and two assists through his frst six games after returning from Red Wings camp, Danielson has caught fire.

He’s put up 1-4-5 numbers over the past three games, collecting at least one point in all three games. As well, Danielson has put 16 shots on goal through the three game. He’s also won 65.06% of his faceoffs (54 of 83).

Sandin Pellikka Under World Tourney Consideration

Detroit’s other 2023 first-round selection, defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka (17th overall) will be playing for Sweden in international hockey action this season at the IIHF World Junior Championship. However, that may not be the end of his contributions on the ice for his country.

Following the success of teenager Leo Carlsson for Sweden at last season’s senior men’s worlds, Tre Kronor coach Sam Hallam won’t rule out the possibility that Sandin Pellikka could play for the Swedes at next spring’s world tourney. Playing for Skelleftea, Sandin Pellikka, 18, is leading all SHL defensemen with six goals.

“If you look at his achievements, he is involved in discussions, he is relevant,” Hallam told Swedish wesbsite Expressen.se.

“We have these two litters, 04 and 05, that we enter the (world juniors) with, which are absolute top litters. In those hills there are many aspiring superstars. It’s a long season and a (world junior) can also suck the juice out of players. We’ll see how they look in January and beyond.”

Niederbach On The Board

Red Wings draftee Theodor Neiderbach (51st overeall, 2020) finally has a crooked number in the goals column. The center/winger scored for MoDo Hockey in a 4-3 overtime victory over Farjestad.

Theo Niederbach with a great backcheck, and later in the same shift his first goal of the season. pic.twitter.com/HH03JpPoYY

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) October 26, 2023

It was Niederbach’s first goal of the season. He’s swhowing 1-3-4 totals and a minus-8 rating through 14 games this season.