Signed Frans Nielson signs 6 year $5.25m AAV contract with Detroit

[NerveDamage 4,176]

[greene709 27]

The money ist not the problem, it's the length. That's just insane. I'm wondering about the owners...do they care, do they know anything about sports?

It's the way it is now. Length decides so much on the players side of it. It's long term or no term with most.

Sent from my STV100-3 using Tapatalk

[Dabura 12,207]

I've heard he's one of the most underrated players in hockey a couple times. If all of the above is true, getting him for $5m a season is fantastic.

We're basically getting the player that we'd always hoped Filppula would become.

He's long been one of my favorite NHLers. I believe he's one of the most underappreciated players in the league.

[_SP_ 129]

Nielsen and Vanek were my top two targets after Stamkos signed. But the money for Helm just ruins this all.

[RedWingsRox 614]

Lol on Nielson highlight reel, first play was EN

[The Datsyukian Deke 127]

Just to mention, i dislike the length, not Nielsen in any way. Great player, and might be even more valuable given our bad special teams last season.

[MDCard 48]

On the positive side:

1) he has hands

2) term is a bit long, but probably what we needed to give to get him

3) he can get it done in the shootout. That may make the difference between making the playoffs or not

4) I prefer this guy over Lucic who I think will be on the decline.

5) he seems durable

Now, I would have preferred Backes. This is not a terrible signing

[Euro_Twins 4,475]

The money ist not the problem, it's the length. That's just insane. I'm wondering about the owners...do they care, do they know anything about sports?

What do you want Kenny to offer? Nyi offered him more money and term and he still came here. They offered 7X5.5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V302pST2_DQ

I like. Has filppula's #51 so he's going to constantly be compared to him for the next 6 years lol.

[NerveDamage 4,176]

What do you want Kenny to offer? Nyi offered him more money and term and he still came here. They offered 7X5.5

I like. Has filppula's #51 so he's going to constantly be compared to him for the next 6 years lol.

That backhand shot of his looks lethal

[The Datsyukian Deke 127]

What do you want Kenny to offer? Nyi offered him more money and term and he still came here. They offered 7X5.5

I like. Has filppula's #51 so he's going to constantly be compared to him for the next 6 years lol.

Just don't sign him, if that length is the deciding factor. Let the fishsticks have him for 6 years, with all that decline to the end, and look for others options.

[Euro_Twins 4,475]

Just don't sign him, if that length is the deciding factor. Let the fishsticks have him for 6 years, with all that decline to the end, and look for others options.

They offered 7 we gave him 6. We needed a center. What did you want Kenny to do. Tanking is not an option. The illitches would not allow that as long as the streak is still intact. So Kenny did what he could

That backhand shot of his looks lethal

Ya I'm excited. Not gonna lie. If the contract sucks or the last 2 years so be it.

[kickazz 5,459]

Lol he actually does replace Datsyuk though.

1. Defensive center

2. Will put up 50 points just like Datsyuk would have if he played another year (guaranteed he wouldn't have played all 82 games).

3. Really good at shootouts.

The other positive in this is he can still kill penalties while Datsyuk no longer did.

Edited July 2, 2016 by kickazz

[Franzine 739]

Goodbye, Datsyukian deke. Hello, Danish Backhand of Judgment.

[VM1138 1,921]

I thought it was Backhand of Justice?

[Echolalia 2,961]

Lol he actually does replace Datsyuk though.

1. Defensive center

2. Will put up 50 points just like Datsyuk would have if he played another year (guaranteed he wouldn't have played all 82 games).

3. Really good at shootouts.

The other positive in this is he can still kill penalties while Datsyuk no longer did.

dats was no longer good at shootouts either.

[The Datsyukian Deke 127]

Again, nothing against the guy. That deal being 2 years less and I would've looked for a drink to celebrate.

I most like the fact of adding a real two-way guy...5on5 AND both special teams, where we really need to improve.

[Rivalred 630]

Didn't put much thought into this but Frans has played for an eastern conference team, there is something to be said about that

[SwedeLundin77 460]

Didn't put much thought into this but Frans has played for an eastern conference team, there is something to be said about that

In what regard? Less wear and tear?

[Rivalred 630]

In what regard? Less wear and tear?

He knows the eastern conference and has played against these teams for a while, think it works to our advantage

[winger30 20]

Lol on Nielson highlight reel, first play was EN

glad i wasnt the only one who noticed this

[lwing 68]

I don't know much about this guy, but it is nice to FINALLY get some size in our forwards. I mean Holland keeps saying this guy is a 200 foot player. I hope the new arena is built to handle this.

[kickazz 5,459]

His defensive playstyle is similar to younger Zetterberg. Offensively, similar powerful backhand, good playmaker but not nearly as much of a shot taker.

"I know Henrik a little bit," Nielsen said. "He's a player I've always looked up to and try to copy a little bit. You're going to see a little bit of a similar player in me."

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2016/07/new_red_wing_frans_nielsen_tri.html

[lwing 68]

People cry and cry here that Holland never signs players...he signs a decent hockey player for a contract that isn't terrible on a day that is famous for the worse deals. People still whine...whats he supposed to do?

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I want to answer this in a very respectful way. What bothers me, and I'm sure others, is the lack of any proactive strategy by Holland. He seems completely incapable of making any bold moves. He is entirely reactive and far too safe by only going for what is available for purchase vs. applying any creativity or risk to making deals with what we have. This is further compounded by his endless excuses and arguments that the decisions he has made were the only decisions possible. Too many of us buy into this and respond, "What else was he supposed to do?" The lack of vision goes beyond Holland to many fans. We have been duped.

Add to this his completely outdated mindset on treating hungry young skilled players like they need to be on training wheels until they are 26 while sticking with a growing roster of underperforming and overpaid mid level veterans. I think his lack of strategic thinking and planning was illustrated most with Lidstrom. Of course you can never ever ever replace him, but where was the plan to even try and fill that massive gaping hole? The attempt to get Suter? That was it? That was the only card in his hand? A smart GM living in reality would have been developing multiple options for the inevitable retirement of #5 including combinations of draft picks, trades for players, trades of picks, free agents... all cultivated over many years. Or truly pathetic D corp is glaring evidence of KH's lack of not just "genius" but competence.

Let's now add to the mix some contracts and decisions. Weiss (while letting Flip go). Franzen over Hossa. Tootoo for how many years? Bringing back Sammy and Cleary? Erricsson? So many more... Dear God, how can anyone claim even one of those deals was the sign of genius? Oh, just wait and see where Blashill is in a year or two.

As for offense there seems to have been some planning (and luck) for the inevitable loss of Dats and Hank with Larkin, AA, Mantha and a few others, but all too little and too late by keeping most of these kids on GR training wheels so we can do what, extend the streak? You can argue about that, but there is one more thing that screams idiocy to me. What GM calls out a player like Mantha and literally insults him in the press? Even if it is true, how incredibly stupid is that? Thinking ahead, if/when KH would ever consider trading Mantha, I'd be the first GM to pull out those articles/quotes as a bargaining chip.

Edited July 2, 2016 by lwing

[MDCard 48]

I want to answer this in a very respectful way. What bothers me, and I'm sure others, is the lack of any proactive strategy by Holland. He seems completely incapable of making any bold moves. He is entirely reactive and far too safe by only going for what is available for purchase vs. applying any creativity or risk to making deals with what we have. This is further compounded by his endless excuses and arguments that the decisions he has made were the only decisions possible. Too many of us buy into this and respond, "What else was he supposed to do?" The lack of vision goes beyond Holland to many fans. We have been duped.

Add to this his completely outdated mindset on treating hungry young skilled players like they need to be on training wheels until they are 26 while sticking with a growing roster of underperforming and overpaid mid level veterans. I think his lack of strategic thinking and planning was illustrated most with Lidstrom. Of course you can never ever ever replace him, but where was the plan to even try and fill that massive gaping hole? The attempt to get Suter? That was it? That was the only card in his hand? A smart GM living in reality would have been developing multiple options for the inevitable retirement of #5 including combinations of draft picks, trades for players, trades of picks, free agents... all cultivated over many years. Or truly pathetic D corp is glaring evidence of KH's lack of not just "genius" but competence.

Let's now add to the mix some contracts and decisions. Weiss (while letting Flip go). Franzen over Hossa. Tootoo for how many years? Bringing back Sammy and Cleary? Erricsson? So many more... Dear God, how can anyone claim even one of those deals was the sign of genius? Oh, just wait and see where Blashill is in a year or two.

As for offense there seems to have been some planning (and luck) for the inevitable loss of Dats and Hank with Larkin, AA, Mantha and a few others, but all too little and too late by keeping most of these kids on GR training wheels so we can do what, extend the streak? You can argue about that, but there is one more thing that screams idiocy to me. What GM calls out a player like Mantha and literally insults him in the press? Even if it is true, how incredibly stupid is that? Thinking ahead, if/when KH would ever consider trading Mantha, I'd be the first GM to pull out those articles/quotes as a bargaining chip.

Was it Kenny or Devellano that ripped Mantha publicly?

We have discussed Kenny's shortcomings for years here. He has made some really bone headed moves in the past and his "overripening" nonsense is so misguided.

I am ok with this signing though (Nielsen). I think the Vanek and Ott signings were ok as well. I like that we are keeping Helm. Marchenko signing solid. So I am ok with Kenny's moves yesterday.

[lwing 68]

Was it Kenny or Devellano that ripped Mantha publicly?

Both, Holland more recently.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2016/04/10/wings-opt-andersson-over-mantha-start-playoffs/82866748/

“Anthony Mantha was a spare part in the (AHL) Calder Cup playoffs a year ago. Why does anyone think he is going to be the answer in Detroit?”

To me that is simply throwing someone under the bus and demonstrates a lack of control, and a CYA mentality. I can't believe for a second that is meant to motivate Mantha and if it was, KH needs to take 101 pysch course and a 101 management course. If any of us said something like this online, that's fine, but for a GM, that is absurd. And no, this is not the same as when Bowman would subtly play mind games to get players off their a$$. If I was Mantha, I'd be begging to be traded. A smart GM could see the potential of this kid in a better environment with the right mix of ways to motivate him to play to his potential.

Edited July 2, 2016 by lwing