from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,
Always a physical player, Abdelkader was credited with a team-high 174 hits.
“That’s probably his greatest strength, the ability to play in a lot of different situations,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “He can play in a shutdown role. He can be a complementary winger. A net-front presence. He brings physicality. He’s got good skill, he can play the power play. He can penalty kill.
“He definitely has that type of versatility and that’s important to have on a team.”
Going forward, as Blashill and his coaching staff incorporate a more pronounced hard-charging, north-south, forechecking style of play into the Red Wings’ style, a player such as Abelkader will become increasingly valuable.
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