from Ansar Khan of Mlive,
2019-20 outlook: Nielsen was signed to a six-year, $31.5 million contract on July 1, 2016, when the Red Wings were desperate for a center after Pavel Datsyuk left for Russia and were trying to extend their playoff streak rather than rebuild.
The move hasn’t panned out. Nielsen’s production has declined the past two seasons and his contract could be an issue next off-season, when the team might need to consider a buyout.
For now, Nielsen will be the second- or third-line center (Valtteri Filppula will fill the other spot).