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Red Wings: Which Player Disappointed Most this Season?

By John Manzo

OTTAWA, ON - OCTOBER 7: Mark Stone #61 of the Ottawa Senators celebrates a third period goal by Dion Phaneuf #2 (not pictured) as Jimmy Howard #35, Frans Nielsen #51 and Jonathan Ericsson #52 of the Detroit Red Wings react in the third period at Canadian Tire Centre on October 7, 2017 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - OCTOBER 7: Mark Stone #61 of the Ottawa Senators celebrates a third period goal by Dion Phaneuf #2 (not pictured) as Jimmy Howard #35, Frans Nielsen #51 and Jonathan Ericsson #52 of the Detroit Red Wings react in the third period at Canadian Tire Centre on October 7, 2017 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) /
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Taking a look back on the shortened season to decide who was the most disappointing Detroit Red Wings player in 2019-20.

The hardest part about what I’m going to set up is picking the worst.

That’s why I’m going to let you decide.

We all know by now the Detroit Red Wings have had a season to forget. From injuries and bad play to just not having enough talent, it’s been tough to watch the team out there when we’re so used to the days when they were winning game after game and sitting atop the National Hockey League (NHL) standings.

Well, now they’re at the bottom.

I know we’re all in need of some good news, but we likely won’t know if that comes true until the offseason – or maybe later – because I want you all, the readers, to decide who had the worst season for the Red Wings this year.

Keep in mind the following: Stats, leadership, salary, etc., and note that this player must have played at least 20 games this season for Detroit. I mainly did this to spare Jonathan Ericsson additional backlash for being 6’4”, 218 pounds and playing like someone six inches shorter and 30 pounds lighter.

Anyways, I digress.

Also, let me reiterate the stats and salary pieces. It’s not just stats, and we all know some guys don’t cost as much as others…so limited production might be more expected.

A guy like Luke Glendening is the perfect example. He’s a valuable piece to this current team and only has nine points. His role is to kill penalties, win faceoffs and be a work horse and role model for those reasons.

I’d much rather have him then these three players (not in any order):

Justin Abdelkader:

OK, maybe I do have it going from worst to first (kidding, kind of). Abdelkader is making a whopping $4.25M per year through the 2022-23 season and has zero goals and three assists in 49 games. I’m not a math guy, but that’s not a very good point per game average.

The worst part about Abdelkader – other than he’s an alternate captain and is supposed to lead on and off the ice – is that contract former general manager Ken Holland gave him. Good luck getting rid of that, Steve Yzerman, unless you attach a juicy draft pick to a trade – and that’s not going to happen.

Next up…

Frans Nielsen:

He’s a slightly better version of Abdelkader, but the team pays more for him, so it puts them on equal playing field. The Red Wings owe another $5.25M to Nielsen through the 2021-2022 season and he’s only produced nine points (4 goals, 5 assists) this season.

He’s the second oldest forward at 35 on the team, only to Valtteri Filppula, yet he’s the one with the “A” on his sweater. Another alternate captain who just isn’t getting it done for Detroit this season.

BUFFALO, NY – FEBRUARY 11: Frans Nielsen #81 of the Detroit Red Wings carries 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 carries 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) /

Last up, and this one pains me because I like the guy a lot, is…

Jimmy Howard:

He’s been a good locker room guy, works hard and has been with the organization since the 2005-06 season. However, it appears father time is catching up with Howard – although youthful in general terms at 35.

The numbers just aren’t there this year. He’s 2-23-2 in games started this season and despite not having a relevant defense, he’s giving up 4.20 goals per game. It also doesn’t help when people on social media remind Red Wings fans that  Carolina Hurricanes emergency goalie David Ayres has one less win than Howard this season.

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Do I see this being the end for Howard in Detroit?

Yes.

With counterpart Jonathan Bernier playing better and still under contract, it’d be hard to see him making the Red Wings roster next season.

Sounds like he generally loves living and playing for this organization, but unless he’s looking for a part-time role in the American Hockey League (which would stunt the growth of prospects and not something I think Yzerman would want to do), he’s likely to hang up the skates or go elsewhere.

COLUMBUS, OH – FEBRUARY 7: Jimmy Howard #35 of the Detroit Red Wings follows the puck during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on February 7, 2020 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – FEBRUARY 7: Jimmy Howard #35 of the Detroit Red Wings follows the puck during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on February 7, 2020 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

With that, it’s on you guys.

Who was the most disappointing Red Wings player this season?

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