The Hockey News’s Ken Campbell penned a list of the 10 most untradeable contracts in the NHL, and it’s hard to disagree with his suggestion that Justin Abdelkader’s contract will be eaten by the Red Wings, one way or another:
Justin Abdelkader, Detroit: The Red Wings are on the hook for four more years with a $4.25-million cap hit. That’s an awful lot of money to pay a guy who gives you little more than quality leadership and serves as a mentor for the young players in the organization. Abdelkader posted a career-low with six goals and tied his worst season with just 19 points in 2018-19. Abdelkader was once an effective two-way winger, but at 32, those days are behind him.
Campbell continues, and it’s a little staggering that Abdelkader ranks 9th on a top-10 list that doesn’t include Darren Helm or Frans Nielsen.
I like how now that Kenny is gone the media feel all bold to question the Abby contract. But the media had many years to grill Kenny on how he couldn’t see that Abby was a 4th line bum that just managed to bang in 20 goals with Pav and Zee. But the Detroit media just gave Kenny softball questions.
I think there was criticism of Abdelkader and Helm’s contracts from the start…Just because they didn’t throw fiery rhetoric at Holland doesn’t mean that the media approved of those deals.
That, and as I recall, Cleary got re-signed that fall, and people went ape (including me) about that deal.
Oh ok. Don’t recall the media ever asking Kenny to explain his rationale to a confused fanbase. Great that you didn’t approve but don’t recall you or anyone asking a lot of hard questions. Not sure how a series of hard hitting questions is suddenly “fiery rhetoric” …
WingNut
LOL, never thought of that! You are right.
I feel there are a few more untradeable contracts than 2 forwards.
DMen (Maybe 3), Who would really want Howard? The NHL has moved towards young goalies, with success
Off Topic
HSJ rated our backup goalie as a bad contract, I swear she is sleeping with Howard (in his equipment w/skates