It seems like yesterday that Detroit Red Wings (former) general manager Ken Holland signed Justin Abdelkader to that egregious seven-year contract. The moment he signed the deal, everyone - from fans to analysts - agreed that it would age poorly.
Flash forward four years, and their suspicions were confirmed. General manager Steve Yzerman bought out the last three years of Abdelkader's contract, bringing the former alternate captain's journey in Hockeytown to an end.
Today was the last day of Abdelkader's buyout cap hit. Now, the Red Wings (and likely Abdelkader, for that matter) approach an uncertain season with a fresh mindset.
The Abdelkader era has come to an end in Hockeytown.
What the Red Wings can do now that Abdelkader's off the books
There are two routes the Red Wings can take following the end of the Abdelkader era:
1. They can use the extra cap in free agency/contract extensions
2. They can use Abdelkader's buyout slot to buy out another player
The first (and simplest) option is to use the cap to sign more players. The thing is, Abdelkader's buyout hit - which came in around league minimum - doesn't exactly move the needle for the Red Wings. Sure, they've got a little extra spending power, but they already have over $29M in salary cap space. The only player they really need to sign to serious money is Simon Edvinsson.
So what's the most viable use for that money?
Well, as unpopular as the idea may seem (on paper), it might be best to buy out another player with Abdelkader's slot.
Why the Red Wings should use Abdelkader's buyout slot
Per the NHL's collective bargaining agreement, all NHL teams are allowed two buyout slots per season. The Red Wings still have both of theirs available. This gives the team a chance to move on from players that just aren't panning out the way they'd hoped.
One such player that would be an extremely viable candidate is Michael Rasmussen.
Rasmussen celebrated one of his worst seasons last year with a putrid 14 points in 64 games. The forward's ice time - and production - have stagnated since signing his four-year extension. As it stands, it just doesn't make sense to keep him around on a roster in dire need of change.
The former first round pick has two years left on his contract, extending his buyout - and cap hit - to four years. It's essentially the same setup as Abdelkader's, and, with the money already allocated, a buyout would be a near-seamless transition.
Best of all, it frees up a roster spot for a young forward to slot in, giving the Red Wings a chance to actually produce points at a regular pace.
With the Abdelkader era coming to an end, it's important to remember the good times -- like his show-stopping brawl against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Best of luck in your buyout-free future, Abby!
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