BUFFALO, NY - FEBRUARY 11: Frans Nielsen #81 of the Detroit Red Wings looks for 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)
Frans Nielsen has always been a lightning rod for the questionable decisions of the Ken Holland era. The 36-year-old center was signed in 2016 to a six-year, $31.5 million deal and the reception was lukewarm from Detroit Red Wings fans. Nielsen’s numbers and acumen were respectable but hardly enough to replace the departure of Pavel Datsyuk.