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The Danny DeKeyser sweepstakes is over.
According to Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos, Detroit is the winning suitor for the Western Michigan defenseman's services.
#NHL teams being told college prospect Dan Dekeyser has decided on the #Wings. #TradeTracker
— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) March 29, 2013
DeKeyser, who our Chris Dilks ranked as the top undrafted free agent in college hockey, signs with his home state team after growing up in Clay Township, Michigan. The junior has spent the last three seasons playing for Western Michigan. Despite being sought after by more than 20 NHL teams last year, DeKeyser came back to the Broncos and scored 15 points (2G-13A) in 35 games for the Broncos. He sat down with teams this week following Western Michigan being eliminated from NCAA Tournament play.
Despite the numbers, DeKeyser does have offensive talent. Here's what Chris Peters of CBS Sports' Eye on Hockey wrote about him last week:
One NHL scout thought DeKeyser could transition into an NHL team's lineup right away, whether that team is in the playoff hunt or not. At the risk of over-hyping DeKeyser, wherever he signs, it's highly likely he's in the NHL lineup perhaps even before the ink dries.
The 6-foot-3, 198-pound blueliner is a gifted two-way defender who excels in his own zone. He plays a simple, mature game, can play the body and makes a good first pass out of the zone. DeKeyser had two goals and 13 assists after two previous seasons of 17 points at the college level. He might have a little more offensive upside than his numbers suggest, but his defensive game is high end already.
Detroit gets immediate help following a year that has seen future Hall of Fame defenseman Niklas Lidstrom retire
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