Detroit Red Wings players are hopeful of a new agreement now that both sides are meeting again. A bunch of Red Wings are still in the Detroit area and are practicing in nearby Troy. "It's positive when they're talking," forward Justin Abdelkader said. "(I'm) staying on an even keel and hopefully we can get something going." Niklas Kronwall, a co-representative for Detroit in the Players Association expressed similar sentiments.

Justin Abdelkader summed up a lot of people's thoughts regarding the latest round of CBA negotiations with his comments. "We'll find out more (in the days ahead)," Abdelkader said. "We'll see what comes out of these meetings. There's definitely optimism. We need to get a deal done soon. This week is a big week." One thing we can give both sides credit for is the fact that they've held long negotiating sessions while greatly toning down the rhetoric. We've seen plenty of false starts since the lockout began, but there's reason to believe that this time might be different.

Justin Abdelkader has signed a four-year/$7.2 million deal with the Detroit Red Wings. "Abby is a big strong guy; he can play left wing," Abdelkader said. "He was a real good centerman in college and in the AHL, and he played some center last year. He's versatile. He's physical. He's comfortable dropping the gloves. He chipped in eight goals last year. We think there's more there, with opportunity." Abdelkader had eight goals and 22 points in 81 games in 2011-12. He isn't worth drafting in standard leagues.

Justin Abdelkader is hoping that he's just a few days away from re-signing with the Detroit Red Wings. Abdelkader is currently a restricted free agent. Time is running out if Detroit and Abdelkader want to agree to terms before the current CBA expires on Sept. 15.

Restricted free agent Justin Abdelkader is confident that he'll have a new contract before Sept. 15. However, he isn't as sure about where he will play if the start of the season is delayed by a lockout. "I wouldn't mind still playing, going to play somewhere," Abdelkader said. "I don't know about Russia. Europe, probably. For me, I'd just like to keep playing. I'd rather do that than sit around here and practice and whatnot."

Justin Abdelkader and the Red Wings continue to work on a new contract. The restricted free agent is coming off a two-year, $1.575 million contract, but it's expected that the new deal's cap hit will be closer to the $1.5 million mark. The forward had eight goals and 14 assists last season. Once general manager Ken Holland gets Abdelkader signed, the Wings aren't expected to add anything else to their forward group. "We think we've got as many as 16 forwards fighting for 14 jobs," Holland says.

Justin Abdelkader's contract will eventually get done, according to Red Wings GM Ken Holland, as the two sides are still negotiating. Abdelkader did not file for arbitration in July when he had the chance. He recorded eight goals, 22 points, 148 hits and 62 penalty minutes in 81 games last season.

Restricted free agent Justin Abdelkader will meet next week with Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland for contract discussions. Abdelkader opted not to file for arbitration earlier this month.

Justin Abdelkader has three points in five games with Team USA in the 2012 IIHF World Championship. Abdelkader didn't play much of an offensive role for Detroit in 2011-12, so this is a nice sign. All the same, he's projected to start the 2012-13 campaign as a bottom-six forward.

Justin Abdelkader notched a goal and an assist for Team USA in a 5-3 win over Belarus at the IIHF World Championship. His Detroit teammate, Jimmy Howard, made 23 saves to give the Americans their second regulation win of the tournament. The United States currently sit in third place in the Group H standings behind Finland and Canada. Cam Atkinson, Nate Thompson, Bobby Ryan and Paul Stastny also scored in the win.