Khan issues a season outlook for Justin Abdelkader

MLive’s Ansar Khan issues a 2019-2020 season outlook for Justin Abdelkader this morning, and Khan believes that the Red Wings might part ways with #8 if he is unable to salvage his game:

Abdelkader is most effective when he’s creating havoc in the hard areas of the ice, in the corners and in front of the net, playing physical without taking bad penalties, creating space for skilled players and contributing some offense.

If Abdelkader continues to struggle and younger players are ready to step into the lineup, it’s not out of the question he could be waived (he would clear) and assigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins (only $1.075 million of his salary would come off the cap).

Another poor season could prompt the Red Wings to buy out Abdelkader of the final three years of his contract in the off-season. It would cost a total of $6.3 million over six years ($1.8M, $2.3M, $2.3M, $1.05M, $1.05M and $1.05M against the cap annually through 2025-26).

Continued; I don’t believe that Abdelkader would be bought out if he has another rough campaign, but it wouldn’t be totally surprising. It sounds like Abdelkader knows his time in Detroit will be short if he doesn’t step up, and that’s a good thing.

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George Malik

My name is George Malik, and I'm the Malik Report's editor/blogger/poster. I have been blogging about the Red Wings since 2006, and have worked with MLive and Kukla's Korner. Thank you for reading!

3 thoughts on “Khan issues a season outlook for Justin Abdelkader”

  1. Why buy him out and create dead cap space when we are actually ready to contend in a few years? Yzerman isn’t that dumb. Scratch him. Bury him in the AHL. Wait for a free buyout with the next CBA. Package a pick or prospect to entice Seattle to select him. All better options than a buyout.

  2. I don’t see Yzerman burying him but I will hope it happens. Abby while maybe being a great guy is not very good at hockey. Especially without a Zetterberg feeding him points. If Larkin were to reach Zetterberg status and had Abby glued to his line he MIGHT come close to that kind of point output. Larkin though has a ways to go before he is to reach Zetterberg status. Doesn’t matter though as Abby even in his prime should have never been anywhere near the top 6 on a team. He’s just not that good. His contract is the definition of an albatross deal. Hopefully Yzerman can find a way to trade him while retaining some salary or convince Seattle to take him. I just don’t see him being buried in the minors. Especially, with Blash behind the bench.

  3. Aby certainly does not fit in the top 6, I would think the 4th line is his calling. Blashill will do the opposite, PP, Top 6 time, etc

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