Aug 20: Nielsen has cleared unconditional waivers and will be bought out.
Aug 19: The Detroit Red Wings gained access to a second buyout window after settling their arbitration case with Adam Erne, and they’re going to use it. CapFriendly reports that the team will buy out the final year of Frans Nielsen’s contract. Nielsen was owed $5.25MM this season. The team will have the following cap penalties:
- 2021-22: $4.25MM
- 2022-23: $500K
Nielsen has been placed on unconditional waivers.
The move will only save the Red Wings $1MM in cap space this season, but more importantly, will only cost them $500K in actual salary over each of the next two years. Nielsen’s six-year, $31.5MM contract had just $3MM left owed to him in the final year after being heavily front-loaded. It also will open another roster spot for a young forward looking to establish himself on the rebuilding club. The 37-year-old Nielsen is a shadow of his former self and has just five goals and 15 points over the last two seasons, despite playing in 89 games.
Even landing another NHL contract seems unlikely for the veteran forward, who is just 75 games away from 1,000 for his career. His play has declined significantly and the Red Wings weren’t even comfortable with him playing center this season. Once an annual Selke candidate as one of the most consistent two-way centers in the league, Nielsen’s best days are long behind him.
Again, this move isn’t really about the cap space for the Red Wings, who were already more than $18MM under the upper limit. While they continue to rebuild the roster and develop young players, GM Steve Yzerman isn’t committing any long-term money to the current group.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Let the kids play and see what you really have and what you need in Detroit. Really like how Yzerman is doing this most difficult rebuild. About the time the sun sets on the Bolts, the Red Wings should be competitive for 10 years or so for more cups. Enjoyed watching Russsian Five on NHL network. Clarified the dues paid by Yzerman as he won his three cups after his prime at 32. His foundation speaks to how hard it is to prepare for and win a cup even for great teams. He is the right guy for the job.
Thumbs up on The Russian Five rec, it’s a must watch for any hockey fan
A lot of good points,except the sun setting on the Bolts part.Cmon man,we both know that won’t happen.Al Murray will keep drafting em and Brisebois will keep filling in the cracks.
Good move
Nice move, this contract was bad from the start and Neilson never amounted to much in Detroit. Too bad it didn’t work out for him but glad to see the young guys get the chance.
If he was not bought out he’d be playing in Grand Rapids all year anyway. This move gives Nielsen the opportunity to possible (???) catch on somewhere else if he wants. Good move overall by Stevie Y.
This was a big mistake by Ken Holland. Nielsen was reportedly a great teammate but the last two years there was no offense. The buyout is a great move