The Detroit Red Wings entered the week playing rather well. However, they have hit a rough slump early in the month of November, losing four of their last five games. Sunday’s defeat at the hands of Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks brought an intriguing tidbit from head coach Todd McLellan to light.

Prior to the game against the Blackhawks, the Red Wings recalled Nate Danielson. Danielson, a former first-round pick from the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings, was expected to make the team out of training camp. After a positive injury recovery stint in the AHL, he slotted in on the third line alongside Marco Kasper and Mason Appleton.

After the game, McLellan was asked about Danielson’s arrival in Detroit. As is often the case with the veteran bench boss, he was straightforward with his thoughts. The rookie center joining the Red Wings could signal changes for other players on the roster.

“We have been struggling offensively. Nate, had he not been hurt in training camp, would have started with our team. He’s had a pretty good start in Grand Rapids. We wanted to see him now so we can make some decisions perhaps on some other players,” McLellan said in a clip shared by Red Wings Prospects on social media.

### Red Wings Could Make Early-Season Shakeup Amid Brutal Slump

The Red Wings are under significant pressure to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. General manager Steve Yzerman inherited an organization lacking top talent and is now in Year 7 of his rebuild. Rebuilds certainly take time, but Detroit has shown little progress toward sustained playoff contention.

McLellan’s comments suggest patience may be running thin in Hockeytown. Detroit has a few players who could be moved, especially at the center position. Currently, the team lacks a true second-line center, though seven of their 12 forwards can play down the middle. In a league always searching for center depth, the opportunity for a roster shakeup is certainly present.

Though it is still relatively early in the season and there is time to make necessary changes, if Detroit waits too long and on-ice performance does not improve, further changes beyond the playing roster could be on the horizon.
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