In Red Wings Land

Detroit Red Wings mailbag: Names to know entering 2019 NHL draft | Freep

The question: What do to about the players with long-term contracts?

Part of Helene’s response about the forwards who fit that criteria:

The guy that concerns me the most is Abdelkader (19 points, 71 games). He’s only 32, but he looked like he had trouble skating last season. If he starts next season poorly, I think the team needs to send a message and place him on waivers, a la what the New York Rangers did with Brendan Smith.

I’d be shocked if Justin Abdelkader was placed on waivers by the Red Wings. There’s no doubt that his contract is horrible (and he’s not very good), but it’s not like he has a poor attitude and is a problem in the dressing room. However, Steve Yzerman isn’t Ken Holland. Maybe he’ll do something different?

Around the League

Hart Trophy finalists unveiled | NHL.com

Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers were named finalists for the Hart Trophy on Sunday.

The award is given annually to the NHL player voted to be most valuable to his team.

This should be Kucherov in a landslide.