Detroit Jock City
Fansided

Detroit Red Wings: The Five contracts currently haunting the team

By Cory Mello

MONTREAL, QC - MARCH 12: Assistant coach for the Detroit Red Wings Dan Bylsma plans out a strategy on his board against the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on March 12, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Detroit Red Wings 3-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - MARCH 12: Assistant coach for the Detroit Red Wings Dan Bylsma plans out a strategy on his board against the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on March 12, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Detroit Red Wings 3-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Detroit Red Wings
(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

GP:72 | G:10 | A:25 | P:35

Not known for his offensive capabilities, at 35 years old, Nielsen still plays a respectable two-way game that has given him high praise by coaches, and players alike. With that being said, he is after all the second highest paid forward, and third overall on the entire team. With an AAV of $5.250 million until the 21-22 season, Nielsen will hold this contract for three more seasons with the Red Wings, holding a modified NTC (10 team no-trade list) for the rest of his tenure.

Signing a six-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings after a 10-year tenure with the New York Islanders, Nielsen was the second-best center available in the off-season of 2016, behind only John Tavares. It was no surprise at the time the Wings’ we’re in the market for a center.

However, with a six-year deal to a player that was already showing signs of regressing and being 32 years old, his prime was already behind him. This season saw Nielsen relegated to a third line center after Athanasiou proved he could be a reliable #2 center.

While I will always respect Nielsen’s playing style and his compete level, he can’t be expected to provide offense at this stage in his career. This is one of those contracts that started well after Nielsen posted 17 goals, good for 41 points in his first season, it hasn’t been much great since then. Nielsen will be 38 years old when his contract finally is up. That’s $5.250 a season for a third-line player. Holland missed out big time on this signing.

Home/Detroit Red Wings