NHL Contracts: Each team’s worst deal

Detroit Red Wings: Oh Dear

So why didn’t I list a single player for the Detroit Red Wings? I’m afraid I have some bad news for Red Wings fans. It’s because I honestly couldn’t choose just one. There are so many bad deals on the Red Wings right now.

Let’s start with Justin Abdelkader, who had 35 points last season. He was the Red Wings ninth-most used forward at even strength last season (eight if you exclude Tomas Tatar, who got traded in February). Abdelkader makes $4.25 million and has five years remaining on his contract. Oh, and he’s 31 years old.

There are so many bad deals on the Red Wings right now.

Next, let’s discuss Darren Helm. He has three years remaining with a $3.85 million cap hit. Helm had 31 points last season. He’s a decent third-line center, but given that he isn’t a difference maker, he’s overpaid. Luke Glendening is up there as well, but at least he only has a $1.8 million cap hit, even if it is for the next three seasons.

And then there’s Frans Nielsen. Much like Kesler and Backes, his contract went into effect when he was 32 years old. Nielsen, like Backes, was signed in 2016. The Red Wings were convinced they could contend even without Pavel Datsyuk.

So they panicked and signed Nielsen. It hasn’t worked out at all. Nielsen still has four years left at $5.25 million per year and he has a 10-team no-trade list, along with a no-movement clause. Yikes.

Honorable Mentions: How did Danny DeKeyser get $5 million a season? Not only did Mike Green get paid too much, for some odd reason, the Red Wings gave him a full no-trade clause, though at least it turns into a 10-team no-trade list in February of 2020.