Abdelkader (lower body) still wasn't skating as of Friday, Ansar Khan of MLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The gritty utility winger's next chance to suit up for a preseason game will come Saturday evening versus the visiting Bruins, but one would think he'd need to get in a practice or two before seeing live action. Consider him day-to-day for now.

Abdelkader (lower body) will not be in the lineup for Tuesday's preseason contest against the host Bruins, Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Given that Abdelkader is an NHL regular, there's simply no incentive for the Red Wings to rush him back in the preseason. The Winged Wheel will head to Pittsburgh for Wednesday's meeting with the two-time defending champion Penguins, so expect Abdelkader to get another look ahead of that contest.

Abdelkader missed Monday's Red-White Game due to a lower-body injury, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

The former Michigan State Spartan was carrying a knee injury in the offseason that threatened his readiness for the beginning of training camp, but after participating in the first couple of days of practice, Abdelkader has seemingly suffered a new injury. It's likely that the team was taking a precaution by holding Abdelkader out of their intrasquad scrimmage, though no update was given on his status for Tuesday's preseason contest against Boston.

Abdelkader (knee) is healthy for training camp, Ansar Khan of MLIve.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

While Abdelkader was not explicitly mentioned as being ready for camp, it's certainly been implied, as Khan noted that "everyone else (is) ready to go, including Thomas Tatar (shoulder) and Luke Glendening (ankle)." The two-way forward ended up skipping the World Championship due to his ailment, but he avoided surgery. Abdelkader is set to make a cool $4.25 million annually through the 2022-23 season, so there's a lot hinging on his ability to log heavy minutes and stay out of the medical room. Last season, he managed seven goals, 14 assists, and a career-worst rating of minus-20 through 64 contests, but the 30-year-old has posted triple-digit hit totals every year since his rookie campaign of 2009-10.

Abdelkader will not need arthroscopic surgery on his knee, but doctors have recommended that he not play in the World Championship, MLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

According to this report, Abdelkader wished to play in the international tournament, but evidently the stipulation behind avoiding surgery was that he'd need to rest the ailing knee. You aren't likely to hear any complaints from Red Wings GM Ken Holland concerning Abdelkader's omission from Worlds, as the two-way forward is locked up for six more seasons and costing the team $4.25 million annually. Abdelkader only produced seven goals and 14 assists in 64 games this season while struggling to a minus-20 rating. Detroit's club being perpetually banged up certainly had a negative effect on the winger's overall numbers when he was able to play himself.

Abdelkader will seek a second opinion on his ailing knee and hopes to avoid surgery, the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Initial reports indicated that Abdelkader was to go in for a scope, but it appears that he won't rush into a decision, rather, electing to get another doctor's take on the issue. The talented two-way winger reportedly sustained his injury Dec. 1 and toughed out the final 42 games of the regular season while wearing a brace. Avoiding surgery could put the 30-year-old in position to play in the world championship next month.

Abdelkader will have his knee scoped as the result of a lingering ailment, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Now that Detroit's season is over, there's seemingly no trepidation from the team when it comes to revealing specifics on player injuries. Abdelkader, like most of his mates, had a down year, though he was among the most disappointing with a 21-point decline from the 2015-16 campaign in which he recorded 19 goals and 23 assists. GM Ken Holland will certainly be counting on a rebound from the Michigan native as he'll be collecting $4.25 million annually with a modified no-trade clause through the 2022-23 season.

Abdelkader opened the scoring on the power play in Saturday's eventual 5-1 home rout over the Avalanche.

EDGE Analysis

The only team worse than the Red Wings on the power play is the Avalanche, but you better believe Abdelkader will enjoy his goal all the same. That was only his sixth lamp-lighter through 52 games, and he's seen his average ice time fall by more than two minutes compared to last year. Heck, even his penalty minutes are down this campaign -- he racked up 120 PIM in a full season for 2015-16, but has just 38 in 51 games this time around. Fantasy owners of Abdelkader must feel slighted, though it likely doesn't compare to GM Ken Holland's sentiment knowing that this guy is signed through the 2022-23 season and commanding $4.25 million annually, despite giving a return of just 19 points and a minus-15 rating in 2016-17. No, Abdelkader shouldn't have to shoulder the blame for the Red Wings missing the playoffs for the first time in 26 seasons, but he certainly isn't playing his finest hockey these days.

Abdelkader posted two assists with a plus-2 rating, two hits and a blocked shot in Friday's 3-2 loss against the Flames.

EDGE Analysis

Abdelkader has posted a goal and four points over his past four games. It isn't great, but it's a start, as he has been a light scorer all season. His most prolific month came in November when he posted three goals and seven points. He's already off to a solid start in March, as this two-assist game was his first multi-point effort since Nov. 25.

Abdelkader contributed an assist, three hits and a blocked shot in Sunday's 5-2 road win over the Penguins.

EDGE Analysis

With a mere 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in 59 games this season, Abdelkader is barely hanging around in the top 10 for team scoring. He has bagged five points on the power play, though the Red Wings remain dead last in that category, resulting in extreme inconsistency in terms of the physical winger converting with the man advantage. Abdelkader is much more useful in leagues that count defensive stats.