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Detroit Red Wings: Four Potential Bounce Back Candidates

By Bob Heyrman

DETROIT, MI - APRIL 05: Detroit Red Wings forward Frans Nielsen, of Denmark, (51) and Montreal Canadiens forward Logan Shaw (49) face-off at center ice during a regular season NHL hockey game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Detroit Red Wings on April 5, 2018, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 05: Detroit Red Wings forward Frans Nielsen, of Denmark, (51) and Montreal Canadiens forward Logan Shaw (49) face-off at center ice during a regular season NHL hockey game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Detroit Red Wings on April 5, 2018, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – APRIL 05: Frans Nielsen #51 of the Detroit Red Wings turns up ice with the puck against the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL game at Little Caesars Arena on April 5, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. The Canadiens defeated the Wings 4-3. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Frans Nielsen
DETROIT, MI – APRIL 05: Frans Nielsen #51 of the Detroit Red Wings turns up ice with the puck against the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL game at Little Caesars Arena on April 5, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. The Canadiens defeated the Wings 4-3. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Frans Nielsen /

The Detroit Red Wings need Frans Nielsen to be considerably better this season.  Nielsen recorded 33 points in 79 games.

The Detroit Red Wings signed Frans Nielsen to vastly help their shootouts where they struggled mightily before the arrival of Nielsen.  Detroit signed Frans to a 6-year-deal worth 31.5 million dollars.  That breaks down to a 5.25 AAV cap hit, which is a high-end third center or a fringe second line center.

Along with that deal, Ken Holland granted him a “no movement clause” for the first two seasons.  The remaining four seasons it downgrades to a “Modified No Trade Clause.”  That typically means the player has to approve ten teams he would be willing to play for in the event his team was considering trading said, player.

The Detroit Red Wings need Frans Nielsen to obtain more than 33 points in the up and coming season.  He was able to score 16 goals and added 17 assists.  The 33 points were his lowest points per game total recorded in any full season throughout his career.

Nielsen is a two-way center meaning his reliable in all facets of the game.  Nielsen can be used in a penalty killing roll along with being an excellent contributor on the second power-play unit.

Nielsen is known for being often successful in his shootout attempts,  he converted 4 of his 6 opportunities last season.

Nielsen while in year one of his Red Wings contract tallied 41 points.  41 considered a bit of a down year, translated to 33 last season. Nielsen struggled in the faceoff circle last season only winning 46% of his draws.  That was the lowest winning percentage of his career.  While making 5 plus million per season the hopes of Nielsen reaching the 45 point mark and improving in the “dot” that shouldn’t be too much to ask.

Frans has the skill to score 20 goals and the slick passing ability to add 25 assists.  Nielsen often found ‘no’ scoring wingers on his line which certainly doesn’t help his point production.  The hope is for a younger, deeper, team with scoring from all four lines will boost Nielsen’s productivity to where the Detroit Red Wings initially hoped it would be.

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