NHL: Top 10 scapegoats heading into the 2019-20 season

8. Justin Abdelkader

Age: 32

Contract duration: Seven years, $29.75 Million (becomes UFA in 2023-24)

2018-19 stats: 71 games, 19 points

The Detroit Red Wings second-longest tenured player has seen the highs and lows of this team in the past decade. After winning a cup with the club in 2008, Justin Abdelkader has watched this once dominant team lose nearly everything it once stood for.

Lidstrom rode off into the sunset, Datsyuk fled to Russia, Hank hung up the skates early, the 25-year playoff streak came to an end, and Joe Louis Arena got demolished. Even former general manager Ken Holland, who had been with the organization for 30 years, didn’t make it to this point.

Even though Abdelkader established himself a household name in the Motor City, he has still come under fire from the Red Wing faithful over the last few years. Since signing a $4.25 Million contract in 2016, Abdelkader has failed to hit the 40 point mark and keep his +/- above -10.

For a team that once reigned supreme during the postseason, their patience to get back to that is running thin.

7. Marc Staal

Age: 32

Contract duration: Six years, $32.4 Million (becomes UFA in 2021-22)

2018-19 stats: 79 games, 13 points

It’s been two years since the New York Rangers have been in the playoffs and that can largely be attributed to their slew of terrible contracts.

Though the team’s record of the past couple of years indicate that they should be entering a re-build phase, it’s a difficult thing to accomplish when you’re burdened by multiple veterans locked to long-term deals.

If not for the signing of Jacob Trouba and Artemi Panarin this offseason, the Rangers second most expensive contract would have belonged to 32-year-old Marc Staal. The 12th overall pick from 2005 has seen his numbers drop dramatically and fans are eagerly awaiting for 2021 when he becomes a UFA.