8 Justin Abdelkader LW

Abdelkader was designated for waivers Tuesday by Detroit for the purpose of buying out his contract.

Abdelkader had three years remaining on the seven-year, $29.75 million deal signed back in November of 2015. By buying out his contract, the Wings will save $2.4 million against this cap this season, which will drop to $1.9 million for the following two. If the 33-year-old signs with another club, he will bring plenty of experience having spent 13 seasons playing in the NHL (106 goals and 146 assists).

Abdelkader mustered just three assists in 49 games this season prior to the suspension of play in mid-March.

The 33-year-old has never been a prolific producer, but he's been a shade of his former self in 2019-20. Abdelkader topped out at 23 goals and 44 points -- both in 2014-15 -- and has always mixed in above-average physicality (207 hits were his most in 2015-16) with serviceable secondary scoring. But with three years remaining on his contract at $4.25 million, four late-season healthy scratches and not a single goal to his name in just 11:32 of average ice time this season, owners across the fantasy spectrum should probably move on from Abdelkader.

Abdelkader won't play Tuesday against Carolina due to an illness, Dana Wakiji of the Red Wings' official site reports.

The Red Wings believe Abdelkader is dealing with a "regular" illness rather than anything serious, but he'll be sidelined for at least one contest. Either way, the veteran winger has only picked up three points in 49 games this campaign, so there's no reason for fantasy owners to track his availability.

Abdelkader was limited to 8:15 of ice time in Sunday's 5-4 shootout win over the Lightning.

Looking nothing like a player that deserves to be paid $4.25 million per season, Abdelkader was utilized for just 11 shifts in the divisional clash. He hasn't cracked the scoresheet since Oct. 23 and has compiled only three points (all assists) through 48 games. Obviously, he's lost track of his offensive game, but Abby's minus-14 rating isn't all that bad considering the Red Wings have an abysmal minus-119 goal differential this year.

Abdelkader has gone nearly three months without recording a point.

Abdelkader was relegated to the press box in the late stages of 2019, but he's seeing the ice out of necessity given that Detroit's had several forwards sustain injuries ahead of the All-Star break. The physical fourth-line winger is up to 71 hits, albeit looking nothing look like the guy who achieved back-to-back 40-plus-point seasons in his prime.

Abdelkader has watched the past two games from the press box.

Abdelkader has been a major letdown in the attacking zone, which is best illustrated by his running total of three points (all assists) through 20 games. On a positive note, with a neutral plus-minus rating, he's one of only four Red Wings not owning a negative mark in that popular category. Head coach Jeff Blashill recently complimented the veteran winger on his work ethic in a report by Ansar Khan of MLive.com. "I am not sending a message (with the benching) per se," Blashill said. "First of all, I think Justin is a great person, a really good pro, has been a really good Red Wing, cares a ton about being a Red Wing, so I really don't like to put him in a position where we have to talk about this because he works hard, competes hard."

Abdelkader (hand) was minus-1 in 11:46 of playing time Tuesday in a 5-1 loss to Winnipeg.

Abdelkader had missed the previous 12 games with his hand injury. He had an uneventful night in his return to the lineup and remains without a goal through 17 games this season.

Abdelkader (hand) will play Tuesday in Winnipeg, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Following a 12-game absence, Abdelkader will return to game action, still searching for his first goal of the season. The 32-year-old has been limited to three assists in his 16 appearances in 2019-20, so a healthy Abdelkader is still not worth owning in fantasy.

Abdelkader (hand) is expected to return against the Jets on Tuesday, Ansar Khan of MLive.com reports.

Detroit desperately needs a boost having lost nine consecutive regulation games. While Abdelkader has been a big disappointment in the attacking zone with three helpers representing his point total between 16 games this season, he provides grit and utility on the penalty kill. His imminent removal from injured reserve will be the clear sign that he's ready to rock.

Abdelkader was placed on injured reserve Wednesday.

Abdelkader will sit out until December at a minimum, so it's not surprising that the veteran winger will head to IR to provide the team with roster flexibility. The 32-year-old has three assists while averaging 13:01 of ice time over 16 games.

Coach Jeff Blashill said Abdelkader (undisclosed) will miss a minimum of three weeks.

The nature of Abdelkader's injury wasn't revealed, but the Red Wings will place the 32-year-old on injured reserve soon. Abdelkader has geared up in 16 games and averaged 13:01 of ice time, recording three assists and 29 hits. The Red Wings recalled Givani Smith to fill into the bottom six in Abdelkader's stead. Abdelkader will target a return Dec. 2 against the Islanders.

Coach Jeff Blashill expects Abdelkader (lower body) to return to the lineup for Friday's game against the Hurricanes, Dana Wakiji of the Red Wings' official site reports.

Abdelkader will return to a bottom-six role following a three-game absence, skating with Jacob De La Rose and Adam Erne on Detroit's fourth line. The veteran winger has picked up three assists in 10 games this campaign.

The Red Wings placed Abdelkader (lower body) on injured reserve Tuesday.

Abdelkader's placement on IR was made retroactive to Oct. 23, so although he'll miss Tuesday's matchup with Edmonton, he'll be eligible to return whenever he's deemed fit to play. Either way, the veteran forward has only picked up three assists in 10 games this campaign, so his absence won't create many ripples in fantasy circles.

Abdelkader (lower body) will not play Sunday against St. Louis, Ansar Khan of MLive.com reports.

Abdelkader missed Saturday's morning skate and was subsequently ruled out of Sunday's contest against the defending champion Blues. A return Tuesday or Friday seems more plausible for the 32-year-old. Abdelkader's production has been on the downswing for some time now, managing just three assists in 10 games this season. Last year, the veteran winger finished with 19 points in 71 contests.

Abdelkader (lower body) remains day-to-day, but will miss Friday's matchup with Buffalo, Ansar Khan of MLive.com reports.

Abdelkader failed to hit the 20-point mark last year for the first time since the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign and could be in line for another bad season, as he has just three assists through the first 10 games and is still searching for his first goal. With Abdelkader on the shelf, the recently recalled Givani Smith will slot into the lineup versus the Sabres.

Abdelkader (lower body) isn't taking part in Friday's practice after blocking a shot in Wednesday's loss to Ottawa, Dana Wakiji of the Red Wings' official site reports.

Detroit takes on the Sabres later in the day, and Abdelkader should be considered questionable for that contest given his inability to skate with the team earlier in the day. Givani Smith has been recalled from AHL Grand Rapids and would slide into Abdelkader's bottom-six role if the veteran winger can't go.

Abdelkader snapped a four-game point drought with an assist in Wednesday's 5-2 road loss to the Senators.

While it's nice to see Abdelkader snap out of his mini drought, the fact is the Red Wings have lost six straight games to crater toward the bottom of the Atlantic Division standings. Abbie's constant is accumulating hits, as he's racked up 12 of those -- compared to three points -- through 10 games to start the season.

Abdelkader emerged with a pair of assists in Saturday's 5-2 home loss to the Maple Leafs.

You would have to rewind the tapes to Feb. 24, 2019 -- Detroit versus San Jose -- to see the last time Abdelkader whipped up a two-point outing. All of the offense from the Wings came from the bottom-six group in this latest contest, with Abby dishing to Jacob de la Rose and Darren Helm. We'll have to see a whole lot more from the veteran winger to trust him, and that even applies to some of the deeper league formats.

Abdelkader (leg) will suit up against the Penguins on Wednesday, according to Ansar Khan of MLive.com.

This will be Abdelkader's season debut; he'll be centered by Luke Glendening and line up on the opposite side of Darren Helm. However, once the regular season gets underway, all three players figures to be pushed down to the bottom six.

Abdelkader (leg) will miss the next two preseason games despite practicing Saturday, Dana Wakiji of the Red Wings' official site reports.

Abdelkader is missing valuable preseason action. Granted, he's an NHL vet with a lineup spot in the bag, but the physical winger is coming off a horrible season that included a mere six goals and 13 assists over 71 games. It's safe to ignore him in most fantasy leagues, at least until he gets up to speed.