Multiple veteran players released from professional tryouts
The NHL is a young mans' game. More evidence to support that claim was made today when the Vancouver Canucks and LA Kings both released a veteran from their camp.
The Vancouver Canucks have released defenseman Danny DeKeyser from his professional tryout deal.
The Los Angeles Kings have released Nate Thompson from his professional tryout deal.
DeKeyser seemed to struggle in exhibition action, and the emergence of Christian Wolanin and the return of Tucker Poolman left little room for DeKeyser to earn a roster spot.
DeKeyser, 32, 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.
Now 37, Thompson has played 844 regular season games in the NHL, and another 86 in the postseason. The 2003 sixth-round pick worked his way up to the NHL with the Boston Bruins, and has also suited up for the Kings, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Anaheim Ducks, Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, and Winnipeg Jets.
Last season, in his second go-round with Philadelphia, Thompson scored just a single goal and three points in 33 games.
Both are available to be signed by other teams. With their age and having mediocre showings in the preseason, the opportunities for them to continue their NHL career could be limited.
| POLL | ||
Is this the end of Danny DeKeyser and Nate Thompson in the NHL? | ||
| Injuries and age, it's time | 50 | 35.7 % |
| DeKeyser will sign but not Thompson | 31 | 22.1 % |
| Thompson will sign but not DeKeyser | 26 | 18.6 % |
| Both will find jobs on NHL rosters | 33 | 23.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
