Detroit Red Wings: Re-signing DeKeyser and Tatar

Sep 19, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Joakim Andersson (18) center Tomas Tatar (21) and defenseman Danny DeKeyser (65) skate back to the bench after scoring a goal during the third period against the Boston Bruins at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

This off-season may have been dismal for some Detroit Red Wings fans but there is still a glimmer of hope. Danny DeKeyser is close to re-signing, I really want to keep tying it without the hyphen but that would make everyone sad. Tomas Tatar however, has already signed and I was spot on.

During an interview with Fox 17 DeKeyser told reporters, “There won’t be any problems,” and “It’ll be done before camp,” “So, no one needs to worry about that.”.

DeKeyser, who was a great pick up straight out of college played 65 games in the Winged Wheel last season recording 4 goals and 19 assists finishing the season with a +10 and 30 PIM. He is about as solid a defenseman as they come and you can see him make smart plays every time he is on the ice. He actually reminds me of Nick Lidstrom, which his teammate Niklas Kronwall will agree. He just seems to have that natural talent of being in the right place at the right time.

But what is he worth?

Last season he was a steal. CapGeek reports that he made $925,000 in the 2013-14 season with bonuses of $850,000 and $92,500.

What should the terms of his extension consist of though?

Comfortably I could see the Wings going to the $1.5-2.5 million range per year. If you half the number that the now Capital Matt Niskanen put up last season you will get roughly the stats for DeKeyser. Now Niskanen will be making $5.75 million aav for the next 7 years so I think $2-2.5 aav for 3 years would be fair for Danny.

All in all a re-signing of DeKeyser should let fans breathe a slight sigh of relief, and hopefully make some cancel their Zoloft prescription. Now we get to the signing that made my Monday feel like a Friday, Tomas Tatar will be a Wing for a while.

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Based on all known sources, Tatar has signed a 3 year deal with an aav of $2.75 million. He is an amazing talent and is just breaking into the NHL. At what seems like the world’s most reasonable price for the stats, Tatar earned $650,000 last season with $160,000 in bonuses. However he put up 19 goals and 20 assists in 73 games and made some jaw dropping plays netting him TSN’s Play of the Year 2014 (if you haven’t seen it check it out here). Again he boils down to natural talent and aggressive drive to the net. He is a player that is hungry and wants to score every time he is on the ice. So is he worth what he is getting?

I’m going to put him up against his team-mate Justin Abdelkader, just for kicks. Abby put up 10 goals and 18 assists in 70 games in 2013-14 while making $2 million with no bonuses. Now going by numbers alone I would say that signing Tatar to his new deal is a big win again for the Wings.

However you look at it the wings have locked up one solid player and will have another signed by training camp. This is something we can all look forward to because the two of them are a pure joy to watch. This is where Ill ask for your opinions. What do you think DeKeyser will get and do you think Tatar’s deal was a good one? Leave your comments below and make sure to follow me at @BringingTheWing on Twitter!

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Detroit Red Wings: Re-signing DeKeyser and Tatar, the Numbers Game

By Greg Montique | Jul 28, 2014