Justin Abdelkader

[uk_redwing 495]

He better be injured or something, because he's skating around doing very little all game every game and its starting to get annoying watch a big grinder refusing to grind. Maybe with 4 goals he thinks he's a scorer.

But yeah, I'm sick of reading articles about him being an important physical presence and about his size. He has no physical presence and uses his size as much as Bertuzzi...but Bert at least has some skill.

This isn't a knee-jerk post because we lost, it's been annoying me for months now. Where is last season's Abdelkader? The one who would finish all his checks at every chance and would never have just stood and watched whilst Brad Stuart got his jaw smashed by Tom freakin' Kostopoulos. Where I say?

Ps. O.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

I agree and as I've told you before, I'm getting a little skeptical about him getting boxing lessons and all that crap. He looked more impressive a few years ago, when he was hitting everything in sight. He hasn't looked all that willing to fight, especially when Stuart was hit with a cheap shot earlier last month.

Maybe a long grinding season is not something he's used to, hence he can't bring the physicality every game. It's different than being called up from the minors and providing spark and energy for a game or two. That's no excuse for his play, but it's likely the reason for his somewhat timid performance this year.

Edited February 25, 2011 by GMRwings1983

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Earlier in the season he was hitting everything as well as chipping in offensively. I think he's a much better winger, and he can't play the same crash and bash style centering a line. When Flip and Modano return, keep Abs in the line-up, just move him to the wing.

I love Abs but he's been a bit disappointing this season, especially after such an encouraging start.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Agreed. He hasn't been noticeable at all lately. I think he's the least deserving of the "fringe" forwards to dress when everyone is healthy. Hell, Draper has had more of an impact than Abdelkader this season. Not giving up on him, but hopefully he can pick it up down the stretch because I think his energy could be a huge asset in the playoffs again.

Edited February 25, 2011 by GoWings1905

[robb himself 143]

ive kinda noticed his lack of enthusiasm as well...Helm has drastically out performed him this season in my opinion...and ive actually liked Mursak out there more than Abdelkader as well...hopefully he can get back into his 08 and 09 playoff form

if not...well...I dont know...at least his +/- is good

[kook_10 1,705]

He started out the season like a man possessed. He was easily the best of the bottom four for the first month and a half or two months. I really loved what he was showing us then. He had the effort and intensity, and most importantly the desire. Maybe it has to do with not having to fight for ice time? Whatever it is, it seems to be between his ears.

[atodaso 279]

ive kinda noticed his lack of enthusiasm as well...Helm has drastically out performed him this season in my opinion...and ive actually liked Mursak out there more than Abdelkader as well...hopefully he can get back into his 08 and 09 playoff form

if not...well...I dont know...at least his +/- is good

he didn't play in the '08 playoffs.

although abdelkader hasn't been playing well lately, this team's problems go way beyond him. there were certain moments during today's game where i thought the game was being shown in slow-motion. a few points to make:

-we can all live with rafalski's stupidity and turnovers as long as he's producing points. last 16 games he has 6 assists.

-where the hell is franzen?

-zetterberg has 2 goals on his last 70 shots. those 70 shots are from the last 18 games and lord knows how many times he missed the net during this stretch.

-kronwall is being outplayed by salei (and at times ericsson)

-lidstrom is human

[newfy 695]

Agreed. He hasn't been noticeable at all lately. I think he's the least deserving of the "fringe" forwards to dress when everyone is healthy. Hell, Draper has had more of an impact than Abdelkader this season. Not giving up on him, but hopefully he can pick it up down the stretch because I think his energy could be a huge asset in the playoffs again.

I think he deserves to be in as a winger. He was physical and scoring on the wing but at centre he just doesn't seem to do either.

Put him at wing and I bet hes back where he was, I dont know if I would say he is unwilling to fight I never expected him to fight 10 times a season, more like 5 or 6. If he hasnt had as many fights broken up by the linesman before he has a chance to go then he would be right around 5 which isnt too bad.

Oh well, once he is at wing and is under performing I will worry

[dirtydangles 1,328]

i mean, hes playing a responsible game as center. his +/- was great for a while. just not doing the things that would make me want him on the ice though. just keeping the puck out of our net isn't going to make me want him at center over any of our other guys that do that and put up points. datsyuk has been more physical of late than abby.

[jollymania 162]

I think he should be benched, he is supposed ot play a physical game and doesn't

[Mikeal 60]

Earlier in the season he was hitting everything as well as chipping in offensively. I think he's a much better winger, and he can't play the same crash and bash style centering a line. When Flip and Modano return, keep Abs in the line-up, just move him to the wing.

QFT.

He is not playing the roll everyone is comparing him to currently.

[MulesWillFly93 199]

I remember thinking during one of those shutout games that he was working his butt off when nobody else was, and I was hoping he'd get a goal because he certainly was trying hard enough to get one, but since then, he's been kind of invisible. I mean, he did finally get that goal a couple of games ago, but he hasn't been his usual physical self. I definitely agree with moving him back to winger when everybody's back...good idea. Hope that'll wake him up a little.

[Wing Across The Pond 196]

Interesting. It may just be, as someone said, that playing more games and not just moving up and down from the minors, may have taken its toll, but I was thinking the other day about something that this post seems to parallel.

Do you think that the Wings ask players to play roles that they're not suited to, in order to fit their game plan, other that finding a place where that player would fit? Obviously players like Dats and Lids can really play with anyone, yet when you mention Abdelkader, it seems that for being named NCAA National Championship Outstanding player of the tournament the year he won it, he seems to be playing a grinding role when he might well have the potential for more skill. I know the system here works and I love it, look at when Stevie was asked to focus less on offence and more on defence, yet (and I've just remembered why I thought about this) I saw the Kopecky goal last night and got thinking about how much better he's been since leaving. Its not the only time its happened either.

Just a thought, but if it was the case that they were asking players to change the way they've played since pee wee, would you prefer they continue and have a situation like Abs now (even though remember I still feel that its that he's getting a little tired from playing a physical game), or bring in new players that actually fit the system they want?

[DatsyukianDekes 2,428]

hopefully its a no tolerance thing when the Wings get healthy.. if you suck real bad you get benched... im look at Franzen first.

[evilzyme 769]

he didn't play in the '08 playoffs.

although abdelkader hasn't been playing well lately, this team's problems go way beyond him. there were certain moments during today's game where i thought the game was being shown in slow-motion. a few points to make:

-we can all live with rafalski's stupidity and turnovers as long as he's producing points. last 16 games he has 6 assists.

-where the hell is franzen?

-zetterberg has 2 goals on his last 70 shots. those 70 shots are from the last 18 games and lord knows how many times he missed the net during this stretch.

-kronwall is being outplayed by salei (and at times ericsson)

-lidstrom is human

True, but I believe this all accountable due to all the injuries in so many ways.

-- As stated before, we are grabbing players from GRR to occupy our benches because of injuries, there is no fight for ice time as it was earlier in the season. With babcock sitting forwards each game, everyone was on their heels on performance.

-- Due to all the injuries it seems like things are starting to catch up on some of the players that were expected to play twice as hard during the absence of pasha, cleary, stuart, modano, filp, ect. You can sit back and say the all-star break was their "break" but having a week off will only get you so far considering they probably still ran personal conditioning stints.

EDIT: I forgot my original rant that was, correct me if i'm wrong.. but wasn't abdelkader brought back up to the winged wheel from GRR last season during the playoffs to be that physical guy. Didn't he take boxing lessons over the summer not only to condition himself but be ready to square up toe to toe? Why... on.... earth... is... none... of... this... happening... I'm not asking him to go out there day in and day out throwing fist up and down the rink, all i'm asking for is to have SOMEONE with that intimidation factor in our lineup. The factor where the opposing team KNOWS not to f*ck around when you're on the ice, knowing they have to watch their back if go ahead and play their cards wrong. I was expecting THIS from Abby. /End rant

Edited February 25, 2011 by evilzyme

[13dangledangle 965]

<br>ive kinda noticed his lack of enthusiasm as well...Helm has drastically out performed him this season in my opinion...and ive actually liked Mursak out there more than Abdelkader as well...hopefully he can get back into his 08 and 09 playoff form    <img src="http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/thumbup.gif" class="bbc_emoticon" alt=""> <br><br>if not...well...I dont know...at least his +/- is good<br>

<br><br><br>

Helm has been a beast all season, but damn he needs to learn the breakaway, the kid must have the record for breakaways in the season as dominantly Dats takeaway stats. I also agree that Abby should be on a wing, I also think he has a higher skillset then people give him credit for. He looked real good while playing with the big boys for a shift or to the night eaves went down.

Edited February 25, 2011 by 13dangledangle

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

Abby isn't as physical because he's been succumbed by the "non" physical Wings style of play.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Abby isn't as physical because he's been succumbed by the "non" physical Wings style of play.

Going out there and smashing bodies is exactly what Babs wants from Abby. Hell-- he lead the forward in hits last season by a mile before being sent back down to GR.

Babcock demands that his players forecheck hard and grind down other teams by hitting and pressuring their defensemen. Nothing about the Babcock system can be described as 'non physical' outside of the lack of fighters.

If Abby can't be a physical presense there's no reason to keep him in Detroit. He's not a bonefide NHL scorer. Abbs needs to play like a 3rd/4th line forward or refind his scoring touch.

[Eggs Over Eavesy 3]

Going out there and smashing bodies is exactly what Babs wants from Abby. Hell-- he lead the forward in hits last season by a mile before being sent back down to GR.

Babcock demands that his players forecheck hard and grind down other teams by hitting and pressuring their defensemen. Nothing about the Babcock system can be described as 'non physical' outside of the lack of fighters.

If Abby can't be a physical presense there's no reason to keep him in Detroit. He's not a bonefide NHL scorer. Abbs needs to play like a 3rd/4th line forward or refind his scoring touch.

I'm just going to assume she was being sarcastic, as I think I've seen her post some non-asinine comments before. In any event, I will echo some of the previous sentiments expressed in this thread - I think once he gets penciled back in to a winger position he'll flourish (in terms of physicality). I'm going to chalk his relatively recent lack of physicality up to maybe his perception that he needs to be more defensively reponsible as a centerman, and thus doesn't want to get caught up inthe offensive zone too much due to a severe forecheck. But figure his defensive responsibility will slightly lessen if he's manning the LW position and could mess some people up.

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

Agreed. He hasn't been noticeable at all lately. I think he's the least deserving of the "fringe" forwards to dress when everyone is healthy. Hell, Draper has had more of an impact than Abdelkader this season. Not giving up on him, but hopefully he can pick it up down the stretch because I think his energy could be a huge asset in the playoffs again.

above bolded statement pretty much sums up abdelkader this year. draper looks like he wants to be out there. abby looks like he's kind of taking his spot on the wings for granted, which usually ends up with guys not being wings for more than a season or two. hopefully abdelkader picks up his game.

[HankthaTank 1,100]

Helm has even honed in on his other type of play this year and doesn't hit everything that moves like in the past when he would be called up. Not even comparing the 2 as Helmer's game has finally come full circle and is really becoming one of the top bottom 6 players in the league and PK'ers. Abby is pretty awesome at times and noticeable and then just all of a sudden gets caught up in the too cute type of play which is so far off from his style. I feel he will break out of it and maybe even start scoring some goals here like Helm has seem to figure out how to do. I am not totally abandoning Abby yet. Not by a long shot.

[Konnan511 1,736]

Our bottom six is fine, it's our top six outside of Datsyuk who is disappointing the past fortnight.

[HankthaTank 1,100]

the past fortnight.

The HDC line was the new hotness for the last fortnight actually and Bert was unreal. Mule is really the only one that has disappointed for the last "fortnight" as you say.

[wings1110 184]

the best ive ever seen him play is last year when he was sent to gr, he was fighting, grinding, working his ass off, and scoring. maybe now that hes in the sho he thinks he doesnt have 2.