Each NHL team’s worst contract heading into the 2019-20 season

Detroit Red Wings: Justin Abdelkader

Contract: $4.25 million cap hit over the next four seasons; Full no-trade clause until 2020, modified no-trade clause (depending on if Red Wings make playoffs and playing time) through 2023

The Detroit Red Wings used to be the model of consistency in the NHL. In order to remain that way for a few more seasons, general manager Ken Holland signed a bunch of bad deals. None of them look worse right now than Justin Abdelkader’s.

According to Evolving Hockey, his -1.4 WAR was not only the second-worst among all Red Wings skaters, but it was also the eighth-worst in the entire league (minimum 800 minutes during all situations).

Abdelkader has never been much of a possession driver, so he’s had to rely on his production. His production has never been great, but last season, he had just 19 points in 71 games.

There could be a way out of it, though. Abdelkader’s full no-trade clause (how in heaven’s name did he get one?) runs through the end of the 2019-20 season. After that, he has what might be the most interesting modified NTC in the NHL – Abdelkader can be traded to any team if either of these two conditions are met.

• Red Wings don’t make the postseason
• Abdelkader is not in the top nine among Red Wings forwards in average TOI per game

At 15:24 per game, he was eighth among forwards in average TOI per game. However, Filip Zadina was at 15:23 and Taro Hirose was at 15:18. So it’s entirely possible that condition comes true, even if the first one doesn’t. This resets after each season, by the way.