Frans Nielsen to Red Wings: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

Former New York Islanders center Frans Nielsen reportedly agreed to a six-year, $31.5 million contract on Friday with the Detroit Red Wings, according to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press. 

Chris Johnston of Sportsnet confirmed the report on the first day of free agency in the NHL.

Nielsen, 32, had another strong season in 2015-16, scoring 20 goals and adding 32 assists. It was the second time in the past three seasons he's scored at least 20 goals and the fifth time overall he's scored at least 40 points.

Only John Tavares (70 points) and Kyle Okposo (64 points) tallied more points for the Islanders last season than Nielsen (52 points).

Nielsen also helped lead the Islanders to their first playoff series win in 23 seasons.

He's an excellent two-way center, aiding the team defensively as well. That made him an intriguing center on the free-agent market. It also made him valuable to the Islanders in their playoff run, and it is surprising the team didn't find a way to re-sign him.

Nielsen certainly seemed keen on returning to the Islanders, as he revealed in late March, per Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post:

"

I just feel that I've been through this rebuild with all these guys and we finally have a team here. For me, my first choice is to stay here and to keep building this team toward a Stanley Cup. You don’t know what’s out there, you don’t know what teams have interest. Do you want to go through another rebuild? 

So there is a lot of stuff like that. I feel like I’m in a good spot here, we have a good team and hopefully we can work it out here. That, for sure, would be my first choice.

"

The Islanders' loss is the Red Wings' gain.

While Nielsen isn't a dynamic superstar or a splashy signing, he's the sort of reliable and consistent producer that every playoff team needs. He'll do the dirty work on the defensive end, he'll hover around the 20-goal mark and he'll provide leadership and stability over the course of the season. 

That will likely make him one of the savvier signings this offseason. He is player who will be expected to quietly help lead the Red Wings to the postseason this year in the competitive Atlantic Division.

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