Denmark will be represented in the NHL All-Star Game as Detroit Red Wings center Frans Nielsen will make his first appearance in the mid-season classic during all-star weekend Jan. 28-29 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
While a lot of veterans prefer the down time of the all-star break to recharge their batteries, it seems as though Nielsen is getting a bigger charger out of being selected to participate.
“For sure, I think everyone is feeling it right now, and the schedule’s been tough, but especially being my first one, it’s something I’m really excited about,… Nielsen said.
“It’s going to be fun. For sure, it’s something I’m very proud of. I’m really excited to be a part, so it’s an honor.…
He’s also a bit of an anomaly among NHL players in that Nielsen insists he never misses the all-star game. “Yeah, I mean, I watch them every year on TV, since I’ve . . . all the years I’ve been here, and as a kid you watch them. So, yeah, it’s going to be really exciting. I’m really proud and honored to be part of that.… Nielsen enjoyed the three-on-three tournament format that was introduced to the game last season and looks forward to the chance to participate in such an up-tempo, highly-skilled event.
“I did, yeah,… Nielsen said. “It was, for sure, more entertaining watching it last year than other years. It seems like guys were competing a little bit more.
“I’m sure it’s going to be hard playing 20 minutes of three-on-three. But it’s going to be fun.…
Bouncing Back Both forward Justin Abdelkader (sprained knee) and defenseman Mike Green (lower body) were in assessment mode after returning to action from the injured list for Thursday’s 4-3 overtime loss at Chicago.
“I felt all right,… said Abdelkader, out since Dec. 1. “I didn’t play a ton of minutes. Your timing is always off coming into a game like that. I tried to keep it simple for the most part.
“It’s going to be a process to get back, to get the legs underneath you and the timing. But it’s definitely fun to be back out there.
Green, playing for the first time since Dec. 17, was also focused on shaking off the rink rust but felt he’d turned a corner in that process on Tuesday.
“I think the first period is really the toughest,… Green said. “Once you can kind of get your timing back and try to slow the game down for yourself and make good plays, that usually takes about a period to get going.…
The news wasn’t as positive regarding a couple of Wings injured during the current seven-game road trip that concludes Thursday at Dallas. Defensemen Brendan Smith (knee) and Niklas Kronwall (lower body) are both likely looking at an absence from the lineup of around two weeks.
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