Nielsen Heads to the Motor City

With the departure of Pavel Datsyuk, both in body (to Russia) and in contract (to Arizona), the Detroit Red Wings were major players in the week leading up to free agency, getting their fingers into many pies.  They may not have come up with some of the biggest prizes in this frenzy, but the signing of Frans Nielsen is still respectable and should reflect well on the roster come October.

The 32-year old Dane signed a 6-year deal, worth $31.5 million (a $5.25 million cap hit) with the Red Wings, filling a very empty gap in their projected roster.

With the Islanders last season, Nielsen finished with 20 goals and 52 points in 81 games, ranking 99th overall in pool scoring, 71st among all forwards.

The quiet and business-like demeanour of Nielsen should be a good fit in Detroit, who can already boast those kind of players in Henrik Zetterberg or Gustav Nyquist.  Adding a responsible veteran like Nielsen should go a long way to keeping the Red Wings as a playoff bound team in the 2017 season.