Detroit Red Wings: The Five contracts currently haunting the team
By Cory Mello
GP:52 | G:5 | A:15 | P:20
Much like Mike Green, DeKeyser has been plagued by injuries in the past two seasons. After three seasons with Western Michigan in NCAA, The Macomb, Michigan native went undrafted and signed with the Wings’ out of college. After showing promise as a rookie with 23 points in 65 games as a shut-down defenseman, DeKeyser signed a hefty six-year 30 million contract (5 AAV / season) in 2014.
Since the 17-18 season and until the 19-20 season, DeKeyser will hold an NTC (no trade clause), with a modified NTC the last two seasons, that will allow him to submit a list of 10 teams he can be traded to (20-21, 21-22).
Let’s face it, for a shutdown d-man; this is a lot of money to invest, especially a 6-year deal. While DeKeyser is a solid defenseman, this price point is too much for the Detroit Red Wings. It shall be worth noting that although not signed as a point producer, DeKeyser has only topped over 30 points, once in his entire career (14-15 season).
Holding the contract for another three seasons, one only hopes DeKeyser can stay healthy heading into the future. At 29 years old, he has a lot left in the tank to make this contract look better hopefully. As the top pairing defenseman on the team, DeKeyser is relied on to play big minutes, (21:58 / game) especially against other teams’ top lines.
At times, he is the best defenseman for the Wings’ when he remains healthy. Unfortunately, he has endured two injury-riddled seasons in a row. Until he proves he can stay healthy and continue to play consistently on a night to night basis, he tops out at #4 on this list.