Abdelkader Back for Two More Years

The inevitable has now come: the Detroit Red Wings have resigned forward Justin Abdelkader to a two-year deal.

Abdelkader appeared in 50 games last season, in addition to 11 in the playoffs, but the 2010-11 season will be his first as a full-time Red Wing.

Per "team policy" and all that, terms were not disclosed but I'll edit this post when we learn of the financials. I do not think that his cap hit will be higher than Helm's, so I'm going to guess it'll be somewhere around $875k.

With this signing, it appears the Red Wings' lineup now has all of its pieces. It looks like Abdelkader will play left wing on the fourth line now that Mike Modano patrols center on the third line.

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Franzen-Filppula-Bertuzzi

Hudler-Modano-Cleary

Abdelkader-Helm-Eaves/Draper/Miller

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Stuart

Ericsson-Salei

Look good to you? Looks good to me.

Update (1:27 PM): This really has nothing to do with the deal, but I just wanted to share the "stupid comment of the day" that I found on TSN.ca's story on the signing:

With those stats, I hope he's [sic] also runs the zamboni. It's a miracle the Wings have recently won a Cup with these kinds of signings by a soft GM. I suspect he's trying to offset the average age thing after the Modano debacle....should have kept Yzerman.

Keep talking, "The Phoenix." It will be a while before Kenny Holland hears you, with those four rings in his ears, you know.

Update (1:37 PM): Craig Custance tweets this:

Told that Justin Abdelkader's annual salary is $787,000 on a two-year deal he signed with the Red Wings.

If true...how awesome would that be?

Update (2:47 PM): Helene St. James from the Detroit Free Press confirms, saying that he'll make $750,000 this season and $825,000 next season for a cap hit of $787,500. Fantastic deal.