On the Detroit Red Wings, Danny DeKeyser and Petr Mrazek …
Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Defenseman Danny DeKeyser and the Detroit Red Wings have an arbitration hearing scheduled for Thursday, but the sides continue to work on a deal and GM Ken Holland anticipates that a deal will get done.
The Wings and Petr Mrazek have an arbitration hearing for Wednesday. Mrazek is looking for $5 million a year on a two-year deal, with Elliotte Friedman reporting the Wings are offering $2.7 million and $3.15 million.
It makes sense for the Red Wings to lock up DeKeyser after he’s established himself as a top-four defenseman. He’ll likely get a long-term deal in the $4.5 to $5.5 million per season range. If they went to arbitration, he would get a one-year deal and would be an unrestricted free agent after next season.
“The player and the club both know what the range would be on a one-year deal,” Holland said. “We continue to have conversation on a longer-term deal. I’m comfortable we can avoid the process.
“Danny is Detroit born, he’s happy with his role, happy to be a Red Wings. We are happy with his play.”
Greg Krupa of the Detroit News: The Red Wings have arbitration hearing for DeKeyser and Mrazek this week. GM Holland said they are close to a deal for one year, but will work on a longer termed deal as well.
The Wings have between $3.2 million and $3.8 million in cap space and could be $2 million over the cap after DeKeyser and Mrazek come to terms.
They could send players making under $950,000 to the AHL. A second buyout period will be open for them as they had players who requested arbitration. They could also make a trade.
Holland and Mrazek’s agent Don Meehan have been in frequent contact.
“We talked late last week, we’ll talk later, again, today,” Holland said Monday. “We’ll see how today goes, and whether we talk tomorrow.
“I think both sides feel better when the two of you come to a solution, rather than an independent arbitrator.”
The market suggests Mrazek could get a deal between $4 million and $5 million. Market for DeKeyser suggests over $4 million.
The Red Wings have lots of forwards and could use a top defenseman that provides offense. Holland said he’s open to trading, but added not many offensive defensemen are available.
Holland said a buyout is a possibly, but would rather not.
“When you start buying out people, you have a bunch of money tied up and you can’t put the player on the ice,” Holland said.
“How much better is the player you bring in? If he is only marginally better than the one you buy out, with the cost of the buyout, you’re not ahead of the game.”