500 game NHL veteran forced to take AHL contract to keep career alive
The AHL's Toronto Marlies have signed defenceman Danny DeKeyser to a PTO.
DeKeyser signed a PTO contract with the Vancouver Canucks but failed to impress in exhibition action, and subsequently got released from his tryout with Vancouver.
The 32 year old, has spent his entire 10-year career with his hometown Detroit Red Wings. Last season, he appeared in 59 games with the Red Wings and recorded 11 points. He ranked second on the team in blocked shots (102) and fifth in hits,(49) while averaging over 18 minutes a night.
DeKeyser signed a six-year, $30MM contract following an arbitration filing in the summer of 2016. Unfortunately his play (and contract value) began to diminish almost immediately. He did play a full 82 games during the first season of the contract, but after 2016-17, DeKeyser never played more than 65 games in a season. After injuries limited him to just eight games in 2019-20, DeKeyser's ice time dipped to bottom-pairing minutes for the contract's last two seasons.
DeKeyser can provide some veteran leadership to the Marlies roster as well as a stabilizing presence on the back end. If he's really able to impress he may even earn himself a contract with the Maple Leafs. To complete this transaction Toronto will need to move out some contracts, since they are at the 50 contract limit.
| POLL | ||
Is DeKeyser's career likely over? | ||
| Yes | 32 | 53.3 % |
| No | 13 | 21.7 % |
| He�s playing because he loves the game | 15 | 25 % |
| List of polls | ||
