Detroit Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader was one of many players the organization needed to rebound this season for the team to improve. MLive’s Ansar Khan writes that this is exactly what has happened so far this season as Abdelkader has 14 points (4-10) and has notched a point in nine of his last ten games. The 30-year-old winger was the subject of fan derision after struggling last season, which followed the signing of his seven-year, $29.8MM contract. Abdelkader was rewarded for his strong play while on a line with Pavel Datsyuk, and many pointed to his performance as being tied solely to Datsyuk. Healthier this season, Abdelkader has shown why the Red Wings invested so much in him. If he can stay healthy, he’s on pace for 57 points.
- Right Wing Martin Frk is still at least a week away from returning according to Khan. The right-hand shot with a booming slapper has been one of many bright spots on the Red Wings roster, especially helping a power play that languished last season. The 24-year-old has nine points (6-3) in 18 games this season.
- The Detroit Free Press’ Helene St. James reports that Detroit wants to play “relentless hockey” so they’re not suddenly looking up at a gap in the standings. Currently, the Wings are third in the Atlantic and face the flailing Edmonton Oilers tonight, who are reeling after an 8-3 loss to St. Louis last night. It was the Oilers, St. James writes, that spurred the Red Wings current 4-1-1 run. Head coach Jeff Blashill stressed the importance of staying out of the defensive zone, a problem that saw them blow a 3-1 lead Sunday night and eventually lose 4-3 in overtime. Blashill also told St. James that it’s important to play every game “relentlessly,” a necessity in a league where a playoff spot could literally be decided by a regulation win.
“Healthier this season, Abdelkader has shown why the Red Wings invested so much in him. If he can stay healthy, he’s on pace for 57 points.”
57 points is absolute garbage for his price tag.
This is a prime example of why the Red Wings are awful and will be in the future.
The rumors about Abs becoming the next Captain of this team better just be rumors. Red Wing nation can’t handle any more bad decisions.
57 points for 4.25 mil a year seems pretty good to me, but to expect that every year, and even this year (I highly doubt he gets that many) is wishful thinking.
I have to agree with you Dog, 57 points is a decent number. But, for what he is being paid those points need to be much higher for him to actually earn what the Wings are paying him.
This is just another terrible contract that Holland has given out to an undeserving player. Holland needs to go right along with Blashill & the rest of the coaching staff.
As a longtime Wings fan, the bad contracts need to run their course before this team can even think about improving very much. Ken Holland & his incompetence as a GM has literally ruined this team for many years to come.