Abdelkader was held off the scoresheet in Saturday's 1-0 win against the Predators, but he posted two blocked shots and a minor penalty.

EDGE Analysis

Abdelkader hasn't lit the lamp in 14 straight games dating back to Nov. 26. He hasn't been very productive this season, posting just four goals and 11 points over 34 games with a minus-9 rating. Abdelkader is a solid source of hits (78), averaging more than two per contest this season.

Abdelkader furnished an assist, four PIM, and five hits Saturday in a 6-3 home win over the Penguins.

EDGE Analysis

That's a typical line for the Abdelkader, who seems to enjoy leaving his mark in all three zones. Coach Jeff Blashill is ramping the two-way winger's playing time now that he's three games removed from a knee injury that had kept him out of the lineup for 17 games, recording approximately 14 minutes over his last two.

Abdelkader (knee) will return to the lineup Tuesday night against the Blackhawks, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Abdelkader will look to shake off any rust caused by a 17-game injury layoff, and we're projecting that he'll start out in a bottom-six role with time on the man advantage, should the opportunity arise. This is a big lift to a Red Wings team sitting in the cellar of the Atlantic Division since Abdelkader does a little bit of everything, though he hasn't exactly wowed the masses in the fantasy realm as the owner of eight points and minus-4 rating in 22 games this season.

Abdelkader (knee) said he has a chance of returning to action Tuesday night against host Chicago, Ansar Khan of MLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The brutish scoring winger hasn't played in the last 16 games, with the Red Wings only winning six of those matches. The Michigan native is banking a cool $4.25 million this season, so team brass must extremely eager to see the two-way player back in the lineup. He has a lot of making up to do with his fantasy owners as well, as he posted a mere eight points with a minus-4 rating in 22 games before sustaining the injury.

Abdelkader (knee) remains a minimum of one week away from being cleared for action, Ansar Khan of MLive.com reports

EDGE Analysis

Abdelkader's recovery time from this knee injury has already reached a month with no clear end in sight. At this point, it seems highly unlikely the winger will have enough time to register a third consecutive 40-plus point season considering he has a mere four goals and four helpers.

Abdelkader (knee) won't play in Sunday's game against Toronto, Ansar Khan of MLive reports.

EDGE Analysis

The alternate captain has missed the last 12 games, and will make it 13 with Sunday's absence. When he's been on the ice, he has had a rough year, only notching eight points in 22 games. He'll have a chance to return on Wednesday's game against the Ducks.

Abdelkader (knee) won't return until early January, Ansar Khan of MLive reports.

EDGE Analysis

The alternate captain is recovering from his MCL sprain much closer to the four-week mark of the 2-4 week early estimate. Even when healthy this season, Abby has struggled to find his groove, only tallying eight points in 22 games. When he returns, it would be tough to justify starting him until he shows signs of improvement.

Abdelkader (knee) should be close to rejoining the lineup after Christmas break, Helene St. James of The Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Abdelkader has missed the last nine games with his MCL sprain. He's now treading on the latter side of the original 2-to-4 week return timetable, as Detroit continues to have trouble getting all its troops healthy at the same time. Without Abdelkader, the team tends to suffer in the physicality department as the guy tends to hit everything that moves -- 207 hits over all 82-games last season and 52 in 22 this campaign.

Abdelkader (knee) has been placed on injured reserve, per the NHL's official media site.

EDGE Analysis

For those keeping track at home, that's an astounding nine Red Wings now listed on IR, with Abdelkader being the sixth forward to join the walking wounded. The roster move does not change the timetable for the 29-year-old winger and you should expect to see him back in 2-4 weeks.

Abdelkader (lower body) is dealing with a "slight" MCL sprain and has a return timetable of 2-to-4 weeks, Helene St. James of The Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Well, at least it's not a tear. Fans of the Winged Wheel have been in constant search of silver linings lately with seven skaters and veteran goalie Jimmy Howard parked on injured reserve. The Red Wings have Drew Miller on the active roster as a spare, so the team wouldn't need to place Abdelkader on IR or recall a forward from AHL Grand Rapids, though that's certainly an option.