Detroit Red Wings Clips August 14, 2014

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1 Detroit Red Wings Clips August 14, 2014 Detroit Red Wings PAGE 2 Danny DeKeyser not worried about contract talks with Detroit Red Wings PAGE 3 Red Wings' Danny DeKeyser confident new deal will get done PAGE 5 Red Wings' Danny DeKeyser confident he'll sign before camp, looks to build on solid rookie season PAGE 7 NBCSports.com /DeKeyser: It d be nice to figure out something long term with Wings PAGE 8 Grand Rapids Griffins announce plans for two preseason games against Lake Erie PAGE 9 DeKeyser confident he ll sign new deal PAGE 10 DeKeyser believes deal will get done with Wings

2 Danny DeKeyser not worried about contract talks with Detroit Red Wings 4:22 PM, August 13, 2014 Helene St. James Danny DeKeyser sauntered into Joe Louis Arena, his bag of gear slung over his right shoulder, his hair pushed by sunglasses. He spent Wednesday afternoon helping boys and girls fine-tune their hockey skills, on what was the third and last day of a youth camp. His own skills are well-valued by the Detroit Red Wings, which is why he's sure a new contract is on the horizon. DeKeyser has been a restricted free agent since July 1, and his camp and the Wings are trying to figure out just what a lanky, smart, 24-year-old with 76 NHL games to his credit should be paid on an annual basis. "I'm not really worried," DeKeyser said. "We're just kind of going back and forth, and we'll see what happens. It'd be nice to figure out something long term." General manager Ken Holland told the Free Press he has spoken with DeKeyser's camp earlier this week, and will touch base again within days. Holland faxed two proposals to DeKeyser's agent in June, after which neither side was in touch for about a month. Now there's only about a month before training camp begins - and so there's a little more urgency on reaching an agreement. The Wings have viewed DeKeyser as a building block since snagging him out a week after his career ended at Western Michigan in DeKeyser knows this, and so it was with just a little more interest than usual that he watched in early July as his colleagues on defense raked in money in fresh new deals. It is, as DeKeyser pointed out, "hard to sometimes compare unrestricted free agents with restricted agents." But one guy is more interesting to DeKeyser's camp than others: Teammate Kyle Quincey, who got two years at $4.25 million per season. DeKeyser had more points (23) in fewer games (65) than Quincey (13 points in 82 games) and DeKeyser averaged about a minute more of playing time per game than Quincey. DeKeyser also led Detroit defensemen with a plus-10 rating (Quincey was minus-5). While his agent argues his value based on those numbers and more, DeKeyser is focused on himself. He said he wants to establish himself as a top-four guy, and that he believes he can "improve on my numbers from last year. I'm trying to improve from last year, play better and more consistent than I was last year. Just take another step forward." Detroit Free Press LOADED:

3 Red Wings' Danny DeKeyser confident new deal will get done Ted Kulfan Detroit If he s stressed about his contract negotiations, defenseman Danny DeKeyser certainly doesn t show it. A guest coach for the Red Wings Youth Camp on Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena, DeKeyser expects a new contract to be worked out before training camp begins. I m very confident, said DeKeyser of his expectations a new deal will be worked out before Sept. 18, when the Red Wings invade Traverse City. A restricted free agent, DeKeyser and unrestricted free agent Daniel Alfredsson are the only two players general manager Ken Holland needs to sign. Holland and DeKeyser s representatives have talked, and are expected to speak again later this week. DeKeyser, from Macomb, is agreeable to a longer-term deal. It would be nice, but I don t know, we ll have to see what happens, DeKeyser said. It would be nice to figure something out long-term. But we have to see where everybody is at (on that thinking). DeKeyser, 24, figures prominently into the Red Wings long-term plans. Last season, DeKeyser played 65 games, scoring 23 points (four goals, 19 assists), with a plus-10 rating and averaging over 21 minutes of ice time. DeKeyser feels there s room for improvement. I just want to overall round my game and be more consistent game in and game out, DeKeyser said. Take another step forward. Alfredsson update Alfredsson is expected to begin skating this week in his native Sweden. Alfredsson, 41, will skate with the other Red Wings after Labor Day, when players begin group skates in preparing for training camp. If Alfredsson s back holds up it bothered him late last season he and the Red Wings will work out a one-year contract. Alfredsson, an unrestricted free agent, said he will not play anywhere else but with the Red Wings if he decides to play and forgo retirement. No worries about Babcock Forward Drew Miller said the uncertain status of coach Mike Babcock Babcock isn t signed past this season has no impact on the team. 3

4 The only way we ll get caught up is if you guys (media) keeping asking us every day, Miller said. I don t think we ll be worried about it. He ll get it figured out and taken care of. We just have to play the game; that s what our job is. I don t think he ll be negotiating during the season, so it s not something we ll have to worry about. Exhibition tickets on sale Tickets for all of the Red Wings home exhibition games will go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. The Red Wings games include Chicago (Sept. 25), Boston (Sept. 27), Toronto (Sept. 29) and Pittsburgh (Oct. 1). Tickets can be purchased at the Joe Louis Arena box office, all Ticketmaster outlets and online at DetroitRedWings.com. Detroit News LOADED:

5 Red Wings' Danny DeKeyser confident he'll sign before camp, looks to build on solid rookie season Ansar Khan August 13, 2014 at 4:13 PM DETROIT It is good to be a defenseman in the NHL these days. Players at that position are at a premium, and the good ones usually are able to cash in with lucrative long-term contracts. That's not necessarily the case with restricted free agents, Danny DeKeyser noted. They don't have much leverage, so they typically can't command what a comparable unrestricted free agent can get. "I watch all the contract (signings), but it's hard to compare unrestricted free agents with restricted free agents," DeKeyser said. He added, "I think with a lot of restricted free agents it takes a little bit longer (to sign) than with unrestricted guys just because there's not much room for (RFAs) to go anywhere. Just seems like it's a longer process." Still, DeKeyser, a 24-year-old restricted free agent, is confident he will sign with the Detroit Red Wings before training camp opens on Sept. 18. "I'm very confident," DeKeyser said. While DeKeyser took part in the Red Wings' annual youth camp at Joe Louis Arena Wednesday, his agents continue trying to hammer out a new deal with general manager Ken Holland. "My (agents) are doing a pretty good job in talking with Kenny," DeKeyser said. "Just kind of going back and forth and we'll see what happens." DeKeyser is coming off his entry-level contract, in which he had a $925,000 salary-cap figure. The Red Wings hope the native of Macomb, Mich., will be a cornerstone on their blue line for many years and would like to lock him up to a long-term deal. A shorter-term bridge deal is another option. "It would be nice to figure something out long-term but we'll just have to see where everybody's at," DeKeyser said. Danny DeKeyser Red Wings defenseman Danny DeKeyser on contract talks and the upcoming season. After joining the Red Wings in March of 2013 from Western Michigan, DeKeyser had a solid rookie season in He had four goals and 23 points, along with a plus-10 rating, in 65 games. He missed 15 games with a sprained shoulder the first half of the season. He was paired mostly with Kyle Quincey the second half of the season. 5

6 DeKeyser was second to NiklasKronwall in average ice time (21:38) and played in all situations, including the power play. He said of his goals: "Just overall round my game out a little more and be more consistent game in and game out. Just take another step, improve on my numbers from last year and help the team out more than I did last year." DeKeyser recognizes the importance of gaining weight on muscle to his 6-foot-3, 190- pound frame. "Every season I try to get as strong as I can," DeKeyser said. "You always lose a few pounds during the year; that's something everyone deals with. "I've been skating lately and I feel really good, feel strong out there." Michigan Live LOADED:

7 NBCSports.com /DeKeyser: It d be nice to figure out something long term with Wings Mike Halford Aug 13, 2014, 9:19 PM EDT Two weeks ago, Danny DeKeyser was confident he d get a deal done with the Red Wings. This week, he continued to insist there are no worries about signing on the line that is dotted. I m not really worried, DeKeyser said, per the Detroit Free Press. We re just kind of going back and forth, and we ll see what happens. It d be nice to figure out something long term. More: General manager Ken Holland told the Free Press he has spoken with DeKeyser s camp earlier this week, and will touch base again within days. Holland faxed two proposals to DeKeyser s agent in June, after which neither side was in touch for about a month. Now there s only about a month before training camp begins and so there s a little more urgency on reaching an agreement. DeKeyser, 24, blossomed in his second professional season last year despite missing significant time with a separated shoulder, he racked up 23 points in 65 games while averaging 21:38 TOI. He represents the future of the Red Wings blueline and, as such, will be an interesting one to watch as camp gets closer and closer. That said, don t expect there to be much drama. DeKeyser wants to be in Detroit. There won t be any problems, DeKeyser said back in late July, per MLive.com. It ll be done before camp. So, no one needs to worry about that. NBCSports.com / LOADED:

8 Grand Rapids Griffins announce plans for two preseason games against Lake Erie By Peter Wellner / MLive.com GRAND RAPIDS, MI. The Grand Rapids Griffins have scheduled two preseason games, both against AHL counterpart Lake Erie, to prepare for the upcoming season. The Griffins on Wednesday, Aug. 13, announced they will face the Monsters for preseason games at two locations: at 7:05 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at the WFCU Centre in Windsor, Ontario, and at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 4 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Ind. It will mark the Griffins' first appearance in Fort Wayne since March 3, 1999, when they earned a 4-2 win over the Komets, their International Hockey League rival from The Griffins and Monsters split a pair of preseason games last year, with Grand Rapids taking a 3-2 shootout win at the Compuware Sports Arena in Plymouth on Sept. 28 and Lake Erie answering with a 2-0 victory in Windsor one night later. Tickets for the Oct. 3 game in Windsor will go on sale Monday, Sept. 8 for $10 through wfcu-centre.com or by calling Tickets for the following night s contest in Fort Wayne will be available Friday, Sept. 5 for $8-$15 through ticketmaster.com/komets. 8

9 DeKeyser confident he ll sign new deal By Bob Duff / Windsor Star They aren t close to a deal on a new contract, but Detroit Red Wings defenceman Danny DeKeyser is certain a pact will be completed long before the team opens training camp Sept. 18. My guys are doing a pretty good job in talking with (Detroit GM) Kenny (Holland), said DeKeyser, at Joe Louis Arena Wednesday to work at the club s youth clinic. We re just kind of going back and forth and we ll see what happens. I m very confident (a deal will be done before camp). Coming off his first full NHL campaign, the 6-3, 190-pound DeKeyser produced totals in 65 games. His plus-10 rating led all Detroit defencemen and his 116 blocked shots were third among NHL rookies. He admitted that he has perused the contracts signed by other defencemen this summer, but doesn t use them as a barometer of what he might get in terms of dollar value and length. I watch all the contracts but it s hard to compare unrestricted free agents with restricted free agents as far as rights go, DeKeyser said. I think with a lot of restricted free agents it takes a little bit longer than with unrestricted guys just because there s not much room for guys (RFAs) to go anywhere. It just seems like it s a longer process. Of particular interest to DeKeyser is likely the five-year, US$20.25-million extension recently signed by defenceman Jake Gardiner with the Toronto Maple Leafs. It would be nice to figure something out long-term but we ll just have to see where everybody s at, DeKeyser said. In the meantime, the two sides will continue to talk and DeKeyser intends to remain patient. We work together, he said of his negotiating team. We talk, they tell me what they re thinking. I tell them what I m thinking. We just try to compromise and then they go and talk to Kenny about it. Holland indicated the two sides would talk again later this week. 9

10 DeKeyser believes deal will get done with Wings By Art Regner / FOX Sports Detroit TROIT -- If Detroit Red Wings defenseman Danny DeKeyser is concerned about his contract situation, he certainly isn't letting it show. DeKeyser, a restricted free agent, appears confident that a deal will be in place before Detroit begins training camp on Sept. 19 in Traverse City. "My guys are doing a pretty good job in talking with Kenny (Holland) -- just kind of going back and forth -- and we'll see what happens," DeKeyser, 24, said Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena. "Still talking, mostly up in the air right now, but I'm very confident." Signed as a free agent out of Western Michigan in 2013, the Detroit-area native was at the Joe as a guest instructor at the Wings' annual Youth Hockey Camp. When asked if he's surprised that it's taken this long to hammer out a deal, DeKeyser was realistic. "I think with a lot of restricted free agents, it takes a little bit longer than with unrestricted guys, just because there's not much room for guys to go anywhere," he said. "Just seems like it's a longer process. "It would be nice to figure something out long-term, but we'll just have to see where everybody's at." Certainly, the Wings would like to sign the 6-foot-3, 195-pound DeKeyser long-term, and he said he would prefer to ink at least a four-year deal. Since his arrival in Detroit in late March 2013, DeKeyser quickly established himself as an unflappable, stay-at-home defenseman who's mobile and can move the puck. He had four goals and 19 assists and was plus-10 in 65 regular-season games last season. But despite his impressive play, he realizes that he needs to improve his muscle mass/strength and all-around game to become an elite level NHL defenseman. "It would be nice (to be among the elite)," DeKeyser said about this upcoming year. "I think I can improve upon my numbers from last year. "I need to stay healthy and be more consistent than I was last year, just take another step forward. 10

11 "It's going good. I've been skating lately here and I feel really good, feel strong out there." One aspect of his game that he's determined to improve upon is the power play. Last season, DeKeyser saw some time on the power-play unit and knows what he needs to do to become a major contributor. "I can improve on that part of the game by just getting pucks onto the net, working on the accuracy of my shot and seeing the ice a little bit better," he said. Although many early predictions have labeled the Wings as a middle-of-the-pack team that will have to fight to make the playoffs this season, DeKeyser believes that being healthy is the key to Detroit's success, especially when it comes to Pavel Datsyuk and Captain Henrik Zetterberg. "If you're talking about Pav and Z, they're two of the best players in the league," DeKeyser said. "So every time they're in the lineup, they're going to help everybody out. They'll help the whole team out. "It would be good if we had everybody healthy this year. That's not how it always works. But I'm sure that guys are going to try and stay healthy this year and be in the lineup whenever they can be." Both Datsyuk (knee) and Zetterberg (back) missed substantial playing time last season. 11