Have the Avalanche Done Enough to Remain Cup Favorites? Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTkyMjEzNjA5NTc5ODE2NDk0/usatsi_15902421.jpg] The Vancouver Canucks have signed defenseman Danny DeKeyser to a professional tryout contract ahead of training camp. DeKeyser has played his entire career with the Detroit Red Wings, amassing 146 points in 547 games over 10 seasons. Before turning pro, he quickly became one of the biggest college prospects, winning the CCHA's best defensive defenseman title in 2012 and 2013 while being a big piece of Western Michigan's championship run in 2012. He also won the Calder Cup with Grand Rapids in 2013. The latter years of DeKeyser's NHL career have been plagued by injuries. Back surgery has limited his effectiveness, and while he's definitely a depth option at this point, you have to wonder how much he has in the tank. CapFriendly [https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/canucks]shows the Canucks with eight signed defensemen, including Brady Keeper, who missed last year with a broken leg, and Tucker Poolman, who was limited to just 40 games last season. If DeKeyser can show there's still something there, he could be a cheap bottom-pairing option you can switch out every now and then. With a thin Red Wings blueline, he managed 18:30 in ice time last year, but don't expect that again moving forward, whether or not he ends up signing with Vancouver.
