MiHockey

Red Wings, Danny DeKeyser agree to new six-year deal

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MiHockey Staff
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Photo by Andrew Knapik/MiHockey

 

By @StefanKubus –

The Red Wings have re-signed another key piece to the puzzle.

It was announced today that Detroit and Macomb native Danny DeKeyser have agreed to a new six-year deal.

DeKeyser, a restricted free agent coming off a two-year deal with a cap hit of $2.188 million, was originally scheduled to have his player-requested arbitration hearing on July 28.

Per former Wolverine and Red Wing Aaron Ward, here is the contract breakdown for DeKeyser’s new deal.

 

The 26-year-old has arguably developed into the Wings’ most reliable defender as aging veteran Niklas Kronwall has battled the injury bug in recent seasons. On a team that has struggled to score in recent years, DeKeyser has helped keep the puck of the Wings’ net, having finished each of his three full seasons – and one 11-game stint in 2012-13 – in the positive column, holding a combined plus-27 rating. In 2015-16, DeKeyser potted a career-high eight goals to go along with 12 assists in 78 games.

In 234 NHL games to date, DeKeyser has posted 14 goals and 75 points while remaining a steady presence on the blue line. A highly-touted free agent, the Red Wings were able to land the Michigan native in 2012 following his junior campaign at Western Michigan.

DeKeyser amassed 49 points in his three seasons leading the Broncos’ blue line before immediately stepping into the Detroit lineup to wrap up the 2012-13 season. DeKeyser then joined the Griffins in Grand Rapids for their postseason, recording an assist in six games.

The Red Wings now have six defensemen under contract with DeKeyser’s signing.