Detroit Red Wings waive veteran defenseman Danny DeKeyser

The often injured veteran defenseman Danny DeKeyser returned to the Detroit Red Wings lineup in 2021, playing sparingly as the sixth defender.

DeKeyser, who turns 31-years old in just a few weeks, had only logged a touch over 15 minutes per game this season, a far cry from his usual 21 and change he’s averaged throughout his career.

Recently Detroit Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill mentioned DeKeyser is available to play but is not 100% healthy, so the Red Wings have opted to pair Christian Djoos with Jon Merrill over the past few games.

This decision comes as somewhat of a surprise, only understanding the COVID-19 struggles and challenges to navigate through the year, hoping to overcome a potential outbreak.  Teams need all hands on deck.

If Danny DeKeyser clears waivers, the Detroit Red Wings can either place him on the teams’ taxi squad or in the AHL.

The Red Wings have already been somewhat stricken by the virus, losing up to five players earlier this season at once to injury and COVID-19 protocol.

DeKeyser has battled various injuries throughout his career, the most recent had been a herniated disc in his back that limited him to just eight games last season.

Before that, DeKeyser missed an abundance of time due to hand and wrist injuries along with various other lower-body injuries.  DeKeyser has only been able to play 70 or more games three times in his career and carries a cap hit of $5 million this season and next before becoming an unrestricted free agent (UFA).

Knowing all of the salary repercussions this season due to the coronavirus pandemic and DeKeyser’s inability to remain healthy mixed with his lackluster play in 2021, I expect Danny will clear waivers.

Through ten games in 2021, DeKeyser has recorded one goal while producing an atrocious Corsi For Percentage (CF) of 38.7.  His career average is a touch below average but ten points better at 48.9.

Over nine NHL seasons, DeKeyser has appeared in 451 games with the Detroit Red Wings recording 30 goals, 94 assists totaling 124 points.