Danny DeKeyser agrees to contract with Red Wings

Defenseman Danny DeKeyser and the Detroit Red Wings agreed to a six-year contract Tuesday.
Financial terms were not released, but the Detroit Free Press reported the contract is worth $30 million, an average annual value of $5 million.
DeKeyser, who was a restricted free agent, was scheduled to have an arbitration hearing Thursday.

"It's a big deal for me, to be able to get some stability and be able to play in Detroit for the next six years, at least," DeKeyser told the Free Press. "It's a place I like to play. My family is here. I don't want to go anywhere else."

DeKeyser, 26, had eight goals and 12 assists in 78 games last season and one assist in five Stanley Cup Playoff games. He was second on the Red Wings in average ice time (21:48) behind defenseman Niklas Kronwall (22:00) and led Detroit defensemen in average ice time while shorthanded (2:41).
"I just want to improve year in and year out and be a steady defenseman," DeKeyser said. "That's really my game. I just try to move the puck well, play solid defensively, contribute some points or goals where I can. Just try to be a good team player and do things that help the team win."
A native of Detroit, DeKeyser has 75 points (14 goals, 61 assists) in 234 NHL games. He signed with the Red Wings as an undrafted free agent out of Western Michigan University on March 29, 2013. After appearing in five playoff games for the Red Wings in 2013, DeKeyser helped Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League win the Calder Cup.
"It's nice to get this done and to know I'll be around for a while," DeKeyser said. "My fiancée, she is also from Michigan, and it's just a good spot for us to be in. It's really cool how all of this has worked out."
The Red Wings have yet to sign goalie Petr Mrazek, who is a restricted free agent. An arbitration hearing is scheduled for Wednesday in Toronto.