Detroit Red Wings: Five players Steve Yzerman needs to move on from
By Bob Heyrman
Recently I had written an article comparing Weiss to Nielsen, and the similarities are incredibly alarming. I admit that might seem a little extreme, but it isn’t too far fetched.
Fans Nielsen is another veteran forward, former General Manager Ken Holland signed to a long-term deal with a no-trade clause attached that hasn’t worked out dawning a Winged Wheel on his chest.
When the Detroit Red Wings signed Frans Nielsen, they were losing an abundance of games way of the shootout. So the team had an opportunity to sign Nielsen when he became an unrestricted Free Agent because he’s tremendous converting his shootout opportunities. Frans Nielsen owns the second-best shootout rate only second to Washington Capitals forward T.J Oshie. Oshie’s career percentage is 57.9% while Nielsen’s 57.1% is very respectful.
The Detroit Red Wings can’t buy out all these players, but I decided to see what it would take, and it isn’t that bad if the team decided to go this route. Per CapFriendly it would save the Wings a total of 3.166 million, and they would be able to pay the 12.583 million over the course of six years rather than fulfilling his 15.750 million owed over the next three seasons.
If the franchise decided to buyout Nielsen they would be saving themselves some money but rather than saving; they are stretching out the money owed over six years instead of three. I don’t see Steve Yzerman buying out Nielsen; I expect he will fulfill his deal with the Wings primarily skating as an expensive third line center.
I would love to see the newly appointed General Manager find a new home for Nielsen via trade but how many teams are looking for a 35-year-old center that’s making 5.25 million per season over the next three years? Like most of these bad deals, the Wings would have to retain a large portion of salary in any trade situation.
Last season Nielsen was able to score 10 goals and add 25 assists totaling 35 points and played as a minus -7. His CF% was simply putrid at 45.3%, and he wasn’t effective in the faceoff circle losing more draws than he won. For a player being paid like a second line center and producing as if he is a third or fourth line player with such a terrible possession percentage is simply unacceptable.