announced Saturday on Instagram that hes out for the season because of a left knee injury suffered on the play.Hall lowered his shoulder into Graggs left leg after the tight end made a 5-yard cat

NEW YORK -- Frans Nielsen is glad to have his first game against the New York Islanders since leaving as a free agent last summer behind him.There was some nerves, Nielsen said Sunday night after assisting on a goal in the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 overtime victory over the Islanders. Ive been looking at the schedule for a long time waiting for this game. Feels like now that its done, I can move on.The 32-year-old Danish center was drafted by the Islanders in the third round in 2002, No. 87 overall, and had 119 goals and 230 assists over 10 seasons in New York before signing a six-year, $31.5-milion deal with Detroit.There were about a dozen signs held by fans near the ice welcoming Nielsen back during warmups and he received some applause from the crowd when his name was called during the announcement of the Red Wings starters. Nielsen also got an ovation during a video tribute about eight minutes into the first period.It was awesome, he said. I had been here so long. So many people in this organization mean so much to me. I was happy about that.Nielsen knew this wasnt going to be just another game.Theres going to be some butterflies for me and some nerves, Nielsen said when he met with reporters about three hours before the game. Hopefully it just gonna take a couple of shifts and I can relax and play my game.Nielsen, one of three players to leave the Islanders in free agency along with Matt Martin (Toronto) and Kyle Okposo (Buffalo), says he wasnt looking to go elsewhere, but began exploring other options when talks with the Islanders stalled.It wasnt an easy decision, said Nielsen, who was the longest tenured Islander at the time of his departure. I dont have anything bad to say about anything here. It dragged out for some reason and got to a point where I got a chance to talk to other teams and kind of realized it might be fun to get a new challenge and try something new.So what does he cherish most about his time in New York?A lot, from playing the first game to scoring the first goal, Nielsen said. The first playoff series I was in against Pittsburgh (in 2013). The (Nassau) Coliseum, just how loud it was. I dont think Im going to experience that again. To winning a round last year. All the friendships, all the people you met not only with hockey, but away from the rink. ... One-third of my life I lived here, so lot of stuff you miss about (not) being here, too.Nielsen said it felt `weird flying into town Saturday night after Detroits loss at Pittsburgh, and then staying in a hotel nearby. When he arrived at the arena, he saw former teammate Johnny Boychuk by the players entrance and jumped in his car for the `two-minute ride down to the parking level.The Red Wings were in the market for a new center after former star Pavel Datsyuk decided to end his NHL career and return to Russia. Nielsen has fit right in with his new team, totaling six goals and nine assists in 26 games.I love him, Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. Hes got inner drive to be great. Hes selfless, he does what it takes to win for the team. Hes an all-around player who plays in most situations for us, penalty kills, power plays, can go up against other teams best players. ... Hes got lots of experience, hes a leader-type person. Theres no question he brings a presence just by with the way he handles himself and the type of teammate he is. With the Red Wings remaining in town overnight before flying out to Winnipeg on Monday, Nielsen expected to spend time with some of his former teammates after the game.The friendship you build up with all these people over the years, Nielsen said. We had some really tough times and a lot of the guys went through the tough times here where we werent winning. Just going from that to building a competitive team, you just build a special bond when you go through that.---Follow Vin Cherwoo at www.twitter.com/VinCherwooAP Cheap Packers Jerseys .com) - Manchester City midfielder David Silva is expected to miss the next four weeks because of a calf problem. Custom Packers Jersey China . Both players have lower body injuries that will keep them out of the lineup until at least January 31, which is the first game they can be activated from IR. http://www.custompackersjersey.com/ .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. 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Washington Redskins safety DeAngelo Hall defended a low hit that injured Buffalo Bills tight end Chris Gragg in Fridays preseason meeting between the two teams, telling Gragg in a tweet Saturday that he targeted his legs because the NFL would have fined the veteran defensive back for tackling Gragg too high.Gragg, a fourth-year tight end who started four games last season for the Bills, announced Saturday on Instagram that hes out for the season because of a left knee injury suffered on the play.Hall lowered his shoulder into Graggs left leg after the tight end made a 5-yard catch over the middle of the field in the second quarter of Fridays game. Gragg later walked off the field under his own power, but coach Rex Ryan said after the game that doctors suspected Gragg suffered a serious ACL injury.dddddddddddd.Its a real shame, Ryan told reporters. Sometimes, especially with Graggs injury, a guy should make a tackle. But I get it. Was frustrated he just had a 15-yard penalty. That was ridiculous in my opinion, but it is what it is.Prior to his exchange Saturday with Gragg, Hall defended his tackle on Twitter later Friday night.Gragg caught a career-high 12 passes last season for the Bills, totaling 150 yards. The 2013 seventh-round pick has played in 32 career games for Buffalo, making 10 starts. ' ' '