Let's be honest here, we all have some players who we like more than others. For us here at Winged Pride, Justin Abdelkader is one of our more favorite Red Wings. His unique skill set and great forechecking ability make him a really interesting player, especially when thrown on skill lines. Click the jump to see more.
Abdelkader has a lot of intangibles that often times get overlooked when assessing a player. Abdelkader is, to put it simply, a grinder who is really good at grinding. But in a more developed and articulate sense he forechecks well due to his high compete level and tenacity, he hits hard and hits often. And as Datsyuk always likes to say about him, he's a real good piano mover. He gets in the corners, and in front of the net and he has a knack for winning those tough battles and keeping possession through the competition. Winged Pride thinks that Abdelkader can become the next Tomas Holmstrom. Holmstrom was a player who had one skill, he could control his body better than anyone else. He was a big physical guy who threw his weight around and could stand his ground better than most.
Abdelkader has the ability to do everything Holmstrom did. At the end of last year and into the playoffs Justin Abdelkader became a really rock solid player on that first line. He was big, he was physical, and after a lengthy adjustment period he became one of the team's better players. When this play happened, it made us really like Justin. Abdelkader had a great series against the Ducks and he was one of the more important players in their series victory.
Now comes the explanation of why Justin Adbelkader should be playing top line minutes. This argument is to be made with a big asterisk, Adbelkader should only be playing top line minutes if he is playing with two skilled established players. Abdelkader is a great forechecker. His aggression going into the offensive zone is what sets him apart from the normal grinder. His forechecking ability gives him the opportunity to create more possession as well as create high quality scoring chances due to gaining possession in the offensive zone. Put him with a playmaker and a sniper and they will produce.
The progression of Adbelkader allows them to move on from players like Bertuzzi and Cleary. Those guys are around still to be piano movers and be physical, but with the emergence last year from Justin and his play this year, (good but not stellar) it allows them to free up roster space. Abdelkader is allowing them to continue their youth movement by bringing in guys like Sheahan and Jurco up full time. Abdelkader's value on this team goes far beyond his stats, and come playoff time his value will shine again.
Abdelkader has the ability to do everything Holmstrom did. At the end of last year and into the playoffs Justin Abdelkader became a really rock solid player on that first line. He was big, he was physical, and after a lengthy adjustment period he became one of the team's better players. When this play happened, it made us really like Justin. Abdelkader had a great series against the Ducks and he was one of the more important players in their series victory.
Now comes the explanation of why Justin Adbelkader should be playing top line minutes. This argument is to be made with a big asterisk, Adbelkader should only be playing top line minutes if he is playing with two skilled established players. Abdelkader is a great forechecker. His aggression going into the offensive zone is what sets him apart from the normal grinder. His forechecking ability gives him the opportunity to create more possession as well as create high quality scoring chances due to gaining possession in the offensive zone. Put him with a playmaker and a sniper and they will produce.
The progression of Adbelkader allows them to move on from players like Bertuzzi and Cleary. Those guys are around still to be piano movers and be physical, but with the emergence last year from Justin and his play this year, (good but not stellar) it allows them to free up roster space. Abdelkader is allowing them to continue their youth movement by bringing in guys like Sheahan and Jurco up full time. Abdelkader's value on this team goes far beyond his stats, and come playoff time his value will shine again.