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Detroit Red Wings: Top 5 Worst Contracts in Team History

By Richard Jelinek

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 01: View of the Detroit Red Wings center ice logo during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Little Caesars Arena on February 01, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 01: View of the Detroit Red Wings center ice logo during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Little Caesars Arena on February 01, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – FEBRUARY 13: Justin Abdelkader #8 of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on February 13, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Red Wings 4-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – FEBRUARY 13: Justin Abdelkader #8 of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on February 13, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Red Wings 4-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Justin Abdelkader was drafted in the second round (42nd overall)  in the 2005 NHL Draft. He was a secondary scoring option who played the game with an edge. Early in his career, he struggled, trying to find his game at the NHL level. Over time, he adjusted and became a well-rounded, good player. His career-high in points came during the 2014-15 season when he scored 23 goals and 21 assists for 44 points. For his offensive production, he was awarded a new contract. That contract was signed on November 12, 2015, and that was a seven-year deal worth $29.725 million.

Fans could not understand why the contract was even offered due to the fact that his career high was half a point per game. Fans became enraged at the contract, feeling Abdelkader had not earned the contract over one good season. At that time, this was a lot of money for a player who played primarily on the third line for most of his Detroit Red Wings career. Abdelkader did not play much of a role on special teams, focusing more on the regular shift most nights.

Fans, and management, would soon realize that this contract was too much money based on his offensive production after it was signed. He scored 120 points in five seasons after the deal was signed. After general manager Steve Yzerman took over the reins, Abdelkader was told he was no longer needed and was bought out. He has since played parts of the past three seasons overseas with little to no success.

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