Abdelkader signs seven-year contract with Red Wings

Justin Abdelkader signed a seven-year contract extension with the Detroit Red Wings, general manager Ken Holland announced Thursday.

The contract is worth $29.75 million, an average annual value of $4.25 million, according to TSN.

"Signing my extension, hoping to end my career in Detroit. It's a dream come true for me," Abdelkader said in comments tweeted by the Red Wings.

Abdelkader has four goals in 15 games playing on the Red Wings' top line this season. The left wing scored an NHL career-high 23 goals last season.

General manager Ken Holland said it was imperative the Red Wings get Abdelkader signed long-term.

"He's homegrown. A character guy. He's one of the guys [coach Jeff Blashill] and I are looking to be one of the leaders of this team," Holland said. "We couldn't afford to lose him."

The 28-year-old Michigan native is playing the final season of a four-year, $7.2 million contract, according to war-on-ice.com. The 42nd pick in the 2005 NHL Draft out of Michigan State, he has 65 goals and 74 assists in 413 NHL games since making his debut on April 3, 2008.