Red Wings plan to buy out Abdelkader

The Detroit Red Wings placed forward Justin Abdelkader on unconditional waivers Monday for the purpose of buying out his contract, the team announced.

The veteran forward has three years remaining on his current contract carrying an average annual value of $4.25 million.

Abdelkader's cap hit will now be as follows: $1.8 million in 2020-21, $2.3 million in 2021-22 and 2022-23, and then $1.05 million in 2023-24 through the end of the 2025-26 season, according to CapFriendly.

The 33-year-old has struggled the last few seasons since inking the seven-year, $29.75 million extension in 2015. Over the past two seasons, he's scored six goals and added 16 assists in 120 games.