Frans Nielsen

Two-way center Frans Nielsen has spent his entire NHL career with the Islanders.

(AP file photo)

(MLive.com periodically will profile a potential Detroit Red Wings free-agent target until the start of free agency on July 1).

Frans Nielsen

2015-16 team: N.Y. Islanders

Position: Center

Height/Weight: 6-1/188

Age: 32

Shoots: Left

2015-16 stats: (regular season) 81 games, 20 goals, 32 assists, 52 points, plus-1 rating, 12 penalty minutes, averaged 17:43 in ice time; (playoffs) 11 games, 3 goals, 3 assists, 6 points, minus-3 rating, 2 penalty minutes, averaged 21:42 in ice time.

Career stats: (regular season) 606 games, 119 goals, 230 assists, 349 points, plus-4 rating, 112 penalty minutes; (playoffs) 24 games, 4 goals, 6 assists, 10 points, minus-6 rating, 2 penalty minutes.

2015-16 salary: $3.5 million ($2.75 million cap hit).

The lowdown: The Red Wings' top priority Friday is signing Steven Stamkos. If they don't get Stamkos, Nielsen might be their next choice.

They need another center and Nielsen is a solid two-way player. He is a good playmaker, someone who makes his linemates better and he plays all situations, including power play and penalty kill.

Notable: The NHL's all-time leader in goals, assists and points by a Danish-born player. ... Had career highs in goals (25), assists (32) and points (58) in 2013-14. ... Has missed only seven games in the past five seasons. ... Has registered only 50 penalty minutes in past five seasons. ... Recorded a career-high 181 shots in 2015-16. ... Appeared in the World Championship seven times. ... Spent five seasons in the Swedish Elite League. ... Was an alternate captain for the Islanders. ... Has spent entire NHL career with the Islanders, who drafted him in the third round in 2002 (87th overall).

Why he would interest the Red Wings: They could use another top-two center after Pavel Datsyuk's departure to Russia. He would help boost their offense with his passing ability and is capable of scoring 20 or more goals.

How he could fit in with the Red Wings: He would likely center the second line, with either Tomas Tatar or Gustav Nyquist as one of his wingers. He would play on the power play and the penalty kill.

What it might take to get him: A four- or five-year deal worth between $5 million and $5.5 million a season.

Three key questions: 1. At 32, is it too risky to give him more than three years? 2. Would they be better off pursuing a bigger, more physical forward? 3. Could his playmaking ability boost Tatar or Nyquist's production?

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