Red Wings: 3 Bad Contracts That Will Haunt Detroit

PLYMOUTH, MI - FEBRUARY 15: Detroit Red Wings, Steve Yzerman, Kris Draper and Dan Cleary watch the game action between Sweden and Finland from a suite during the 2018 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament game at USA Hockey Arena (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
PLYMOUTH, MI - FEBRUARY 15: Detroit Red Wings, Steve Yzerman, Kris Draper and Dan Cleary watch the game action between Sweden and Finland from a suite during the 2018 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament game at USA Hockey Arena (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
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BUFFALO, NY – FEBRUARY 11: Frans Nielsen #81 of the Detroit Red Wings looks for the puck during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on February 11, 2020 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY – FEBRUARY 11: Frans Nielsen #81 of the Detroit Red Wings looks for the puck during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on February 11, 2020 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)

Another three-year contract, this one coming in a little higher at a $5.25M cap hit. Frans Nielsen’s atrocious contract comes in at No. 2 largely because the forward is 35 years old (vs. 29 for Dekeyser). Time isn’t on Nielsen’s side and it’s showing.

Since signing with the Red Wings in 2016, Nielsen’s goal totals have dropped from 17 to 16 to 10 to just three this season. Add in the fact that he’s an alternate captain and you have to scratch your head at the length of this one given his age.

Good thing he’s a free agent in, 2022-23, ugh…