Red Wings Year In Review: Danny DeKeyser

At what point does a player go from prospect to full fledged player? Danny DeKeyser for all of the hype surrounding him, he was always considered to be a player that toed the line between the two. Now in his third full season, it is time to evaluate him without rose colored glasses. It is now or never for Danny DeKeyser, is a long term investment prudent?

If you listen to anyone who mentions Danny DeKeyser, in the same breath people talk about how defensively strong he can be. The numbers in the HERO Chart simply don’t display as much, if anything he is an underrated offensive asset. He doesn’t drive play but he contributes to the offense at a good clip.

data at 5v5 and courtesy of WarOnIce.com unless noted otherwise

As indicated by the Hero Chart before, DeKeyser does not drive play. It isn’t a huge margin but he needs to improve this if he wants to be paid like a first pairing defender. The relative percentage is startling considering how possession deprived large portions of the team can be. Are you ready to lock up a player like this to a long term deal?

The 5v5 goal scoring for the Red Wings was abysmal this year and DeKeyser wasn’t an exception to the rule. While scoring at an okay clip, he isn’t impacting the teammates around him. He is on an island when it comes to his scoring, it is an area that needs to improve in the years ahead.

Much like the other categories, it just doesn’t match what people say about DeKeyser. Some Red Wings defenders are getting older and as of right now, they don’t have an heir apparent. It doesn’t look like DeKeyser is going to be able to change his game and be the player everyone expects him to be.

The Red Wings are in desperate need of a youth movement and they need to sign DeKeyser after coming off of his RFA deal. Considering what he has done in the league and what he has done for the team, I do expect the Wings to sign him to a long term contract. He is going to bridge the gap between the Ericsson’s and Sproul’s of the world. He will give you the exact same production he has given in the past, 20-30 points with good rate stats. Seeing him with someone like Green may do wonders to his game and provide a way for him to improve his offense.

He isn’t the player that people believe he is, expectations should be adjusted accordingly and he should be sheltered more than he has been. Probably not worthy of first pairing minutes at the moment, I would like to see a mini rehabilitation of DeKeyser and see him put in advantageous situations. It would bode well for himself and the team.

He didn’t really disappoint since he has always been this player. I give him the plus only because I am feeling nice today.