TSN’s Bob McKenzie is reporting the contract will be for seven years, with a salary cap hit north of $4 million – the amount is expected to be between $4 million to $4.5 million.
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A potential unrestricted free agent next summer, Abdelkader and the Red Wings are closing in on signing a seven-year contract. He has also appeared in 59 playoff games since 2009, posting five goals and 12 points. Prior to turning professional, he registered 95 points (44-51-95) in 124 collegiate games for the Spartans and scored the game-winning goal in the 2007 NCAA National Championship game against Boston College, earning honors as the tournament’s most-valuable player. He’s become known in the NHL for his physical, grinding style of hockey which he tops off with strong finishes and skill around the net.
Abdelkader was in the final year of a four-year contract making $1.8 Million and with Franzen’s future in doubt, it is likely that Wings GM Ken Holland could not risk allowing him to hit the open market.
But Abdelkader has been held without the goal the last 13 games, and has only two assists during that span (he has a minus-2 rating overall). He has just two assists in that time span, too.
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Holland said that theyll make a determination after practice Thursday if Pavel Datsyuk will make his season debut Friday when Detroit hosts the San Jose Sharks. Abdelkader will be looking to get off the schneid against a former Western Conference foe.
