The Detroit Red Wings didn’t just send center Nate Danielson down to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins. They sent him down there with assignments to complete.

“I think there’s some things in my game I’d like to get better at and clean up, and that’s been kind of communicated [to him by the Red Wings],” Danielson told reporters following his return to the Griffins’ lineup on Wednesday. “And I think I’ll just keep that with me and work on those goals myself.”

Collecting just two assists in 13 NHL games with the Red Wings this season, we’ll go out on a limb and guess that finding more offense in his game is on the Danielson to-do list. In his first game back in the AHL, Danielson did just that, collecting three assists.

“I think just try to come here and play with confidence and get back to my game,” was Danielson’s assessment of his objectives while in GR.

Route From Griffins to Red Wings Isn’t Always Linear

Griffins coach Dan Watson, who’s coached Danielson the most during his pro career, believes he can play a starring role in Grand Rapids.

“He can dominate this league,” Watson said. “He can carry the play. He’s gonna have the puck on a stick a ton.

“And so we have to make sure that he’s doing the right things with the puck and without it.”

Watson also stressed to Danielson to keep in mind that not every player develops at the same rate or takes the same path to the NHL. There will be bumps in the road, and those potholes must be navigated smoothly.

“It’s a different process for everybody,” Watson said. “As much as I’m sure he’d love to stay there, he’s not there, so he’s got to play here and play where his feet are at.

“Play for us, and make sure that he’s doing the right things that are going to get him back there.”

No player wants to be in the AHL, but if Danielson seeks to get back to the Red Wings and stick for good in the NHL, he’s got to prove that he can be a difference-maker in hockey’s top league. So far, through 41 NHL games, he hasn’t done that nearly enough to warrant a spot in the Detroit lineup.

“It’s a good league, a lot of good players,” Danielson said of the NHL. “I think it’s just kind of trying to find my way. I need to keep growing as a player and keep getting better.”

In Watson’s mind, it’s all about Danielson displaying a high level of competitiveness.

“Just making sure he sticks with it,” Watson said. “For him, it’s still about growing, still about developing. Just making sure that he’s on top of it.

“That he’s the best player he needs to be in this league.”

If he can do that consistently, Danielson will earn another opportunity to get back to the Red Wings and play in the league where every player wants to be playing.