General manager Steve Yzerman made a bold move Tuesday, opting to swallow a lengthy cost to rid the Detroit Red Wings of an underachieving forward.
Justin Abdelkader, an alternate captain, was placed on waivers for the purpose of a buyout. Buying him out will count against the cap for six years: $1,805,556 in 2020-21, $2,305,556 in each of 2021-22 and 2022-23, and $1,055,556 in the following three years.
Abdelkader, 33, was drafted by the Wings at 42nd overall in 2005.
At his best he played on a line with Pavel Datsyuk, scoring 23 goals in 2014-15.