DeKeyser is a utility defenseman. He skates well, has size at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, and is useful on both ends of the ice. Last season, he led all Detroit blueliners with eight goals thanks to a shooting percentage of 11.1, which rivaled the output from a few of the team’s top forwards. A product of Western Michigan University, DeKeyser hasn’t finished on the wrong side of the plus-minus in the four years that he’s been in the league. With that in mind, fantasy players wish he’d be more assertive – he’s only put up 260 shots in 234 career games, often showing a tendency to pass when the lanes are open. DeKeyser figures to carve out a top-four role in the season ahead, and he could see meaningful time on the man advantage with Brad Richards retired. If you’re looking for a defenseman who logs big minutes and does a little bit of everything, DeKeyser will be a nice secondary fantasy option, especially in rotisserie leagues.

DeKeyser skated in a career-high 80 games last season for the Red Wings, notching two goals and 31 points. The 6-foot-3 blueliner carried his most value in the plus/minus category, where he posted a team-leading plus-11 leading mark. The 25-year-old also saw a 1:24 average ice time on the man advantage, but with the offseason additions of power-play quarterbacks Brad Richards and Mike Green, he could see those minutes dry up in 2015-16. Should that indeed occur, DeKeyser may be hard pressed to raise his scoring up much further, but with a top-four role awaiting him on defense again, it's a good bet that his all-around production will remain stable. Along with the scoring and plus/minus contributions he provided last season, DeKeyser pitched in with 42 PIM, 74 hits, and 88 blocks, giving him a decent floor for fantasy owners to count on.

DeKeyser had a solid rookie season, tallying 23 points and a plus-10 rating in 65 games. The 24-year-old has star potential, but it may take another year or two to fully realize it. He should grab around 25 to 30 points this season if he can stay healthy.

Don't be misled by DeKeyser's single point in 11 games for the Red Wings in 2012-13. He had a much larger impact. Coach Babcock is extremely high on the youngster and hated it when an injury kept him out of the Red Wings' playoff run. DeKeyser will have every opportunity to make the Red Wings' roster in the fall, and should take up residence there for a long time.