Justin Abdelkader is hoping to be cleared to play on Monday after he was checked out by doctors for his concussion. The injury happened a week ago and he has been symptom-free since the start of the week so that is good news. He has 13 points and 103 hits in 34 games this season. Stay tuned.

Justin Abdelkader (head) skated again Thursday. He has been symptom-free for the past two days and he appears to be close to getting back into the lineup. "Feel good so far, had a little bit of a bag skate, so that all went well," Abdelkader said. "Hopefully keep progressing, hopefully be able to play before the break, but we'll see."

Justin Abdelkader (head) felt well enough to skate on Wednesday. Abdelkader thinks he might return as early as Monday, but there's no firm timetable. "I'm working my way back; it's a process," Abdelkader said. "As long as I have no setbacks we'll keep building it each day."

Justin Abdelkader will miss at least a week, as the Red Wings will take him through concussion protocols. Abdelkader was knocked woozy from a hit to the head from Pittsburgh defenseman Deryk Engellandand this past Saturday. He has 13 points and 103 hits in 34 games this season.

Justin Abdelkader (head) will not play for the Red Wings on Sunday. After taking a hit to the head from Penguins defenseman Deryk Engelland, it's very likely the Wings forward has a concussion, though the team has just said he is going through "concussion protocol" and hasn't specifically disclosed his injury. After the game, coach Mike Babcock said there was no update on his status. Tomas Jurco has been called up from the AHL.

Justin Abdelkader departed from Saturday's game after taking a hit to the head from Penguins defenseman Deryk Engelland. The Red Wings forward was wobbly and needed to be helped off of the ice after taking a shoulder to the chin late in the first period. Engelland received a match penalty. This is a hit that'll surely be looked at by the league.

Justin Abdelkader registered an assist in Detroit's 2-1 loss on Saturday. Abdelkader typically isn't a key contributor offensively, but he's stepped up lately. He has a goal and five points in his last seven games. That hot streak is good enough to make him worth grabbing in the short term in league's that value hits. In addition to recording 12 points this season, he also has 94 hits in 31 contests.

The Red Wings' second line of Justin Abdelkader, Daniel Alfredsson and Darren Helm was dominant against the Islanders Friday night. The unit accounted for four goals and six points in Detroit's 5-0 victory and could have even done better. Red Wing coach Mike Babcock was certainly impressed. "To me that line with Helm and Abby skating, and then Alfie making the plays, is a real good line for us," Babcock said. Keep an eye on both Helm and Abdelkader as they are both likely free agents in your pool.

Justin Abdelkader shifted from the first to second line on Saturday. Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock has liked Abdelkader's play and was hoping that he could spark Stephen Weiss and Johan Franzen. The line was scoreless on Saturday, but Babcock still liked what he saw. Abdelkader has a goal and an assist in five games this season.

It appears that Detroit has settled on its forward lines to begin the season and Justin Abdelkader is the biggest winner as a result. He will line up on the Red Wings' top unit alongside Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. We can't express how much of a break this is for the 26-year-old winger. If Abdelkader can keep this gig, he could register 50-60 points this season. However, he could just as easily lose the job and wind up with 30 points. He's a high risk, high reward type of pick. For the reecord, the Wings will ice a second line of Daniel Alfredsson, Stephen Weiss and Johan Franzen.