Red Wings Re-Sign Abdelkader

Early Friday morning the Red Wings announced the signing of restricted free agent forward Justin Abdelkader to a four-year deal.  Financial terms were not announced but the annual cap hit under the current collective bargaining agreement is reportedly around $1.75 million.

Abdelkader, 25, was Detroit’s second-round selection in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.  The Muskegon native has played all but one season of his career in the state of Michigan.  After high school hockey with Mona Shores he played one year with the USHL’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, then moved on to the Michigan State Spartans, Grand Rapids Griffins, and the Red Wings.

He has played 209 career games with the Wings, scoring 18 goals and adding 29 assists in a mostly third- and fourth-line role.