Red Wings sign DeKeyser to 6-year, $30M contract

The Detroit Red Wings and defenseman Danny DeKeyser avoided arbitration - and eschewed negotiations for the foreseeable future - by agreeing to a six-year, $30-million contract extension, James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail was first to report Tuesday.

DeKeyser will earn $5 million on an annual basis through 2021-22, and will have modified no-trade protection included in the deal, according to multiple reports.

He'll also apparently earn a small portion of his salary in signing bonuses.

It's a massive and perhaps hurried investment in the fourth-year pro, who took on an increased role under Jeff Blashill but also saw his overall production decline. DeKeyser scored eight goals and 20 points, and his step up in competition was reflected in his underlying numbers.

The Red Wings have a current cap estimate beyond the defined ceiling, and still have starting netminder Petr Mrazek scheduled for an arbitration hearing.

General manager Ken Holland has allocated significant dollar and term to free agent Frans Nielsen, bottom-six forward Darren Helm, and now DeKeyser before addressing the situation in goal.