 During the 2011–12 season, he missed only one game, and finished the season with eight goals and 14 assists in 81 games.On September 14, 2012, Abdelkader signed a four-year, $7.2 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings.On October 9, 2015, Abdelkader became the second player in Red Wings history to score a hat trick in a season opening home game, following Adam Brown in 1945.