Red Wings forward Frans Nielsen had an awful 2019-2020 season, and the Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan wonders aloud where Nielsen fits into the Red Wings’ lineup–if he fits at all–as the 20-21 season looms:
The Wings’ lineup is far from cemented.
Darren Helm (unfit to play) has been out since the second day of camp, and his availability for Thursday’s regular-season opener is unknown. Evgeny Svechnikov (unfit to play) is in a similar position after suffering an apparent arm/shoulder injury during the team’s first scrimmage. Mathias Brome, an undrafted free agent, has surprised enough to the point where he appears a lock for a lineup spot.
All those ingredients might have Blashill essentially deciding between Nielsen and Adam Erne, potentially, for opening in the lineup, if Helm is unavailable.
“Frans is like the other guys on the team, he has to keep earning that ice time,” Blashill said. “He has a great attitude, he’s been a great pro. I have a lot of respect for him as a person and what he’s done in his career.
“We have a lot of camp left and the competition continues. Frans is in competition for one of the 12 spots. The competition isn’t over unless they (the competing players) let the competition be over with their play. If guys want to earn spots, they can grab a spot (with their play). We’re looking at it and we’ll see how it’s going to start on Jan. 14.”
