(Another in a series of player profiles prior to training camp.)

Ryan Sproul

Position: Defense

Age: 24

Height/Weight: 6-4/211

2016-17 stats: 27 games, one goal, six assists, seven points, minus-8 rating, six penalty minutes.

Career stats: 28 games, one goal, six assists, seven points, minus-8 rating, six penalty minutes.

Contract status: One year remaining with a cap hit of $625,000. He'll be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights after this season.

2016-17 in review: Recorded an assist in each of his first two games, Oct. 21 vs. San Jose and Oct. 22 vs. Nashville. ... First career goal came on power play vs. Tampa Bay Nov. 15. ... Lone two-point game (goal, assist) on Nov. 15. ... Season-high five shots on goal Oct. 22 vs. San Jose. ... Season-high 20:15 at San Jose on Jan. 7. ... Averaged 2:07 per game on the power play. ... A frequent healthy scratch whose longest stretch in the lineup was nine games (Nov. 15-Dec. 3). ... Longest stretch as a healthy scratch was 12 games (Jan. 12-Feb. 7). ... Suffered season-ending left ACL injury March 4 in Edmonton.

2017-18 outlook: Sproul had a good opportunity to establish himself following Brendan Smith's trade to the New York Rangers on Feb. 28, but the big, offensive-minded defenseman's season ended four days later due to a knee injury.

General manager Ken Holland said earlier this month that it's uncertain if Sproul will be ready for the start of the regular season. That doesn't help his cause for earning a spot in the lineup, or even a crowded roster.

As it stands, Sproul probably is the eighth defenseman, and that's assuming Luke Witkowski plays right wing. The Red Wings anticipated being slightly over the cap heading into the season (unless someone other than Johan Franzen goes on long-term injured reserve). Sproul, who was bypassed by Vegas in the expansion draft, could be the odd-man out (trade or waivers).

Sproul has several appealing qualities - he's big, mobile, has a booming right-handed shot, can quarterback the power play and has good offensive potential. Defense has always been an issue. Coach Jeff Blashill cited the need for Sproul to be more assertive, offensive and defensively, attack and not worry about making a mistake.

Mistakes, however, got Sproul scratched for extended periods. He didn't play in more than nine consecutive games.

Key question: Can Sproul work his way into the lineup or will he be traded or waived?