Value can extend far beyond statistics in sports, and Nielsen is a prime example.

On July 1, 2016, after 10 years and 606 games with the New York Islanders, Nielsen, the unrestricted free agent center signed a six-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings.

With three-time Selke Trophy winner Pavel Datsyuk leaving for Russia with a year left on his contract, Detroit's search for a top-notch, all-zones center had intensified, and Nielsen certainly checked off all the boxes.

At 17 he joined Malmö of the Swedish Elite League. A season into a three-year stay, the Islanders selected him in the third round (No. 87) of the 2002 NHL Draft.

After a season with Swedish club Timra, Nielsen began his NHL career, and when he made his NHL debut on Jan. 6, 2007, he became the first Denmark-born player to play in the League.

In his first two seasons he alternated between the Islanders and Bridgeport of the American Hockey League. After securing a full-time role out of training camp in 2008, Nielsen became one of the organization's most valued, if under-the-radar, assets.

Defensively sound, a good faceoff man, and opportunistic on the penalty kill - he led the NHL with seven shorthanded goals in 2010 - Nielsen became more valuable to the Islanders as he put up consistent numbers. He had more than 40 points five times and 50-plus points twice for the Islanders.

Nielsen was rewarded for his versatility and dependability were rewarded in February 2012 when he signed a four-year contract extension with the Islanders.

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

• Played in NHL All-Star Game (2017)
• Signed as a free agent by Rauma (Finland), September 26, 2012.
• Signed as a free agent by Detroit, July 1, 2016.