Helene St. James

Detroit Free Press

TRAVERSE CITY -- Danny DeKeyser spent the summer gaining five pounds.

That sounds like a weekend accomplishment for many people, but for a lanky 24-year-old who makes his living as a professional athlete, adding weight takes work.

DeKeyser is entering his second full season with the Detroit Red Wings, recently boosted by a two-year contract. The Wings -- like the rest of the teams in the NHL -- have liked DeKeyser since he was a late bloomer finishing up his senior year in 2013 at Western Michigan, where he showed himself to be the sort of young defenseman hockey people love. He's a sound defender, he doesn't throw suicide passes and he can misdirect and create a little bit of time for teammates.

The Wings sent DeKeyser into this summer with orders to get bigger and stronger, which he did. Now that the exhibition season is underway, the challenge is to grow on the ice, too.

Asked about DeKeyser after practices today at Centre Ice Arena, coach Mike Babcock said he wants him to "get more comfortable, seeing things better o n the offensive blue line, being error-free, airtight, playing against the best players, not getting worn down during the year."

The more comfortable DeKeyser gets making playing at the offensive blue line, the greater the odds that he'll build on the 23 points he contributed last season, production that ranked second among the team's defensemen. It'd be big for the Wings if it can happen, as Niklas Kronwall is the sole reliable source of points on a back end that used to be fed also by Nicklas Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski.

DeKeyser is ready for the challenge, to contribute not just during expected power-play time but also at regular strength.

"I think I can add some more offense, jump up in the play a little more," he said. "Maybe get some more pucks through from the point, stuff like that. That's definitely something I'll work on."

After playing for the U.S. team at the World Championships in May, DeKeyser returned home to his native Metro Detroit and worked on his shot -- that is, when he didn't have his hands full of food in an effort to add weight. "It's just kind of eating nonstop for me," he said. "Every time I can get a protein shake or get some food in me, that's what I've got to do."

Asked about his weight, DeKeyser, 6-feet-3, said he's up to 193 pounds (though when Luke Glendening laughingly challenged that number, DeKeyser amended it to 195 pounds). Keeping near that weight will be a bigger challenge after the regular season starts in two weeks, as will staying healthy overall. Already in his very young career -- DeKeyser debuted with the Wings just 18 months ago -- he has had two injuries that have sidelined him a chunk of time: a broken thumb and a dislocated shoulder.

The beauty of the contract that was agreed upon the day before leaving for training camp is that DeKeyser will still be a restricted free agent upon its completion. That gives the Wings a shot as rights holder to sign him to a long-term deal, to lock up a guy already considered to be a current and future building block for success. DeKeyser isn't even in his prime yet, but if he grows his game this season and next, he stands to be a tremendous asset.

Contact Helene St. James: hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames.