Frans Nielsen, aka “The Great Dane” has signed a four-year deal to stay on Long Island. A one-way contract, Nielsen has pretty much sewed up the fourth line center spot behind Mike Sillinger, Doug Weight and Mike Comrie for 08-09.

While I’m happy Nielsen is going to stick around, the length of the contract kind of puzzles me. Bergenheim and Tambellini obviously took to year deals because they feel confident enough in their ability that they’ll be different players by then and ready to make some more dough, either with the Isles or somewhere else. With that being said, what is Nielsen’s reason for wanting a four-year deal? Maybe it’s security, I don’t know, but even though the team is in the midst of a rebuilding process, signing an unproven player to a four-year deal, even as cheaply as Nielsen’s is, is a risk.

Nevertheless, if Nielsen can be a dependable fourth liner and contribute on both sides of the puck, he should be well worth the money the Islanders are paying him.

“We’re excited to have Frans locked up for the next four years,” said Islanders General Manager Garth Snow on the team’s official website. “We know he is going to come to training camp in great shape and ready to compete for his spot on the team.”

From the look of things, it looks like Nielsen is going to play with Richard Park and a combination of Bergenheim and Blake Comeau, forming a highly energetic and well-rounded fourth line. Playing with these guys, I think Nielsen can score about 10-15 goals and add about 20-25 assists, especially if he gets some time on the powerplay.

Good on face-offs and a solid passer, Nielsen should get an opportunity to kill penalties and work on the powerplay if guys like Comrie and Weight can’t handle the load. Considering that he played most of last season with Kyle Okposo, I think it would be natural to pair them together with the man advantage at some point in the season. He’ll also get a chance to play more than seven minutes a game with a new coach.

Flashy at times, I am personally looking forward to seeing Nielsen in the shootout, which is where he has had the most success over the course of his young NHL career.

If he and the Isles have their way though, this Dane will be known for a lot more than some quick dekes and a nice release.

Posted under Offseason 2008