Observations:

September 2014- Detroit locked up their lone remaining restricted free agent just ahead of training camp. The inking of Dan Dekeyser comes as the clocked ticked down but ensures there won’t be any distractions while at camp. He is locked into the top four for the Wings heading into the year and will look to build on his four goal and 23 point season. His contract is a two-year bridge contract that ensures Detroit keeps his rights as a restricted free agent when the pact ends. He will earn a respectable 2.18 million per. Look for him to continue his progression in the 2014-15 season especially if he can stay off the trainers table. Travis Watson

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May 2014- Danny Dekeyser was named to the United States 2014 IIHF World Championship roster along with teammate Justin Abdelkader. Abdelkader will serve as team captain for the Americans and Dekeyser despite being the ripe young age of 24 will actually be looked upon as a veteran along side his fellow defencemen who average out to being just 22 years of age. For Dekeyser he will look to help neutralize the opponents attack and bring a steadying presence to the backend just like he did in Detroit this past year when he lead all defencemen with a plus ten rating. He also displayed some offensive touch this past season finishing second in scoring for Red Wings defencemen with four goals and 19 assists. Look for Dekeyser to take this opportunity in stride and bring with him some added confidence heading into the 2014-15 season where he will look to help Detroit improve on this past seasons results. Travis Watson

November 2013 – Dan Dekeyser has been placed on long-term injury reserve list (LTIR) and will be sidelined for the next four to six weeks. His injury will not require surgery. Brendan Ross

November 2013- DeKeyser scored his first career NHL goal in Winnipeg November 4^th with Detroit in town taking on the Jets. What makes his first goal even more special is that it came while the Wings were shorthanded. DeKeyser has been a pleasant surprise this season as he ranks tied for first in goals, second in points and plus minus for the Wings rearguards. He has certainly earned his contract since coming in late last season as a coveted free agent after finishing his Collegiate career at Western Michigan and has solidified himself within the top four of the Red Wings depth chart. Travis Watson

July 2013- Danny Dekeyser was among the 18 defencemen invited to partake in the U.S. Men’s National Team Orientation Camp which will take place Aug. 26-27. Quite the feat for a player who has only played in 19 games at the professional level. Travis Watson

June 2013- After finding out that a broken thumb was going to end his season, Dekeyser probably thought that was it until training camp. But with Grand Rapids making it to the Calder Cup Finals it allowed Dekeyser to return to the ice and gain some very valuable playoff and championship experience. A bit of a whirlwind season where he ended his collegiate career in March, joined the Red Wings shortly thereafter winning the bidding war for his services, and then now becoming a Calder Cup Champion. Dekeyser has been able to experience many peaks and valleys as professional hockey player to date and he is just scratching at the surface of his potential. His role is more of the shutdown variety so I wouldn’t be expecting much offence in the upcoming season but a steadying presence on the back end with some reliable two-way play will do the Wings just fine. Travis Watson

June 2013- Dekeyser has recovered from his broken thumb in time to join up with the Grand Rapids Griffins in their pursuit of the Calder Cup Championship. Travis Watson

May 2013- During Detroit’s game 2 win in the Western Conference Quarter-Finals came with excitement and disappointment as Dan Dekeyser the recently signed Western Michigan Bronco broke his thumb and will miss the remainder of the 2013 playoffs. Frustrating ending to rollercoaster of emotion season for Dekeyser as he just joined his Hometown Red Wings just over a month ago and has been a steadying presence on the backend for the Wings helping thwart opponents offensive scoring opportunities. Dekeyser ends his debut season with the Red Wings getting in 13 games total (11 regular season, 2 playoffs) recording one assist, a plus 4 rating and averaging right around 18 minutes of ice time. Click here to see what GM Ken Holland had to say about their newest defenseman posted just hours before Game 2’s 5-4 OT thriller and before Dekeysers unfortunate injury. Travis Watson

March, 2013 – DeKeyser is a smooth-skating defensive defenseman who played collegiately at Western Michigan. Undrafted, he was a highly-sought free-agent following his junior season but decided to return to school for his senior season. DeKeyser picked up 15 points in his final season with the Broncos and has signed with Detroit, where he expected to stay for the remainder of the NHL season. He has a good shot but is a defense-first, shutdown defender. – Rich Dillon

Fantasy Outlook: B-

DeKeyser’s game is translating very well at the NHL level and clearly has some untapped offensive potential.

Footage:

DeKeyser scores a goal in junior hockey:

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Dan DeKeyser statistics courtesy of Elite Prospects