The Detroit Red Wings announced that defenceman Danny DeKeyser is sidelined for long-term with a back injury and will have surgery later Tuesday. Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said that the veteran defenceman could be out for the rest of the season.
Jeff Blashill says Red Wings D Danny DeKeyser undergoing back surgery, potentially out rest of season. Hasn’t played since Oct. 22.
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) December 17, 2019
Danny DeKeyser To Have Surgery
DeKeyser has been out of the lineup since Oct. 22 and Dana Wakiji of the Red Wings’ official site said that progress has been slow. He was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 26. It’s uncertain how he injured his back in the first place.
So far this season, the Macomb Township, Mich. native has four assists in games this season to go along with four penalty minutes. His possession numbers are 40.6 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of -6.5.
Over his eight-year NHL career, DeKeyser has played just for the Detroit Red Wings. He has 29 goals and 94 assists for 123 career points in 441 career games. Detroit signed him as an undrafted college free agent after playing for Western Michigan in the NCAA.
“He’ll be out for a significant period of time. Months,” Blashill said to the media on Tuesday.
What This Means for the Future
The 29-year-old had been on the top pair for Detroit and was averaging 22:03 minutes per game. He didn’t score this season, but he did have 20 blocked shots during the season.
Detroit’s defence has been a wreck this season and DeKeyser was a veteran on the team. His contract of $5 million per season may have gotten scrunity, but there’s no denying his effort. He was also a solid leader in the locker room for the young Wings.
The Red Wings have tried multiple solutions on the blue line from Madison Bowey to Dennis Cholowski. Detroit’s only real bright spot on the back end has been young Czech defenceman Filip Hronek. Detroit currently sits with the least amount of points in the league.
Danny DeKeyer of the Detroit Red Wings (Courtesy/Getty Images)
