5 worst contracts signed in Detroit Red Wings history feat. Frans Nielsen

By Evan Bell

Modified Jul 23, 2024 17:22 GMT

This offseason, the Detroit Red Wings have made some big moves in an attempt to bolster their roster for the 2024-25 NHL season after narrowly missing out on the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season. The team re-signed key players such as Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat while acquiring some notable free agents.

For example, the team signed winger Vladimir Tarasenko to a two-year contract while also signing Tyler Motte to a one-year deal in an effort to improve their forward lines.

Despite that, not every deal can be a winner, and much like other teams around the league, the Red Wings have made some poor front-office decisions in the past.

Without further ado, let's take a look at the five worst contract signings in Detroit Red Wings history.

Five worst contracts in Detroit Red Wings history

#5. Frans Nielsen

NHL: Detroit Red Wings at Tampa Bay Lightning - Source: Imagn

Frans Nielsen's time with the Detroit Red Wings got off to a hot start, with the center earning his first All-Star honors with the team in 2017. Despite that, his six-year $31.5 million deal wound up looking worse by the year.

By 2019, his production had become practically nonexistent, logging just nine points in 60 games before playing 29 games during the 2020-21 season. The team ultimately bought out the final year of his contract, bringing an end to a disappointing stint.

#4. Justin Abdelkader

NHL: Toronto Maple Leafs at Detroit Red Wings - Source: Imagn

After the 2014-15 season, the Detroit Red Wings signed Justin Abdelkader to a seven-year deal worth $29.5 million. The contract came after a career-high in points for the Michigan native, where he logged 44 points in 71 games.

It was all downhill from there, though, with Abdelkader logging 42 points the following year, followed by 21 the next year. The winger was never able to bounce back, ultimately getting bought out once Steve Yzerman assumed control of the franchise.

#3. Uwe Krupp

NHL: USA TODAY Sports-Archive - Source: Imagn

Heading into the 1998-99 season, Uwe Krupp signed a four-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings worth $16.4 million after winning the 1996 Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche. Despite his contribution to the team's Stanley Cup run, Krupp was a non-factor in Detroit.

His first season he played just 22 games thanks to a back injury, however, just weeks later he was seen dogsledding. This led to the team filing a grievance against the defenceman, who then sat out the 1999-00 season and the 2000-01 season. When he returned in 2001, Krupp played just eight games.

#2. Derian Hatcher

NHL: Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers - Source: Imagn

When Detroit gave Derian Hatcher a five-year deal worth $30 million, no one could have predicted he would play just 15 games for the franchise.

At the time, fans viewed the deal favorably, given Hatcher's production in Dallas. However, a knee injury forced him to the bench after just 15 games during the 2003-04 season. After a 24-game stint with the Motor City Mechanics the following year, Detroit bought out the remainder of his contract.

#1. Stephan Weiss

NHL: Detroit Red Wings at Edmonton Oilers - Source: Imagn

Leading up to his stint in Detroit, Stephan Weiss was an offensive wrecking machine in Florida. Because of his production, the Red Wings signed him to a five-year, $24.5 million deal, which included a no-trade clause.

Weiss played just 26 games during the 2013-14 season, logging four points, before recording 25 in 52 games the following year. After undergoing hernia surgery, the Red Wings bought him out in 2015 with little to show for it.