Kyle Quincey 2-5-15

Red Wings defenseman Kyle Quincey battled through ankle issues this past season.

(The Associated Press)

DETROIT - Detroit Red Wings defenseman Kyle Quincey had one of his better seasons while playing much of the year on one good ankle.

That issue was solved with surgery last month.

"There were lots of floating particles," general manager Ken Holland said. "He was less than 100 percent. He battled until the end. He'll have a good summer to get healthy."

Quincey, who turns 30 on Aug. 12, appeared in 73 games (three goals, 15 assists), positing a plus-10 rating, which ranked third on the team. He was the team's most physical presence on the blue line.

"I thought he had a great year," Holland said. "I think that Quincey has really become a solid defender for us. He gives us some size, he kills penalties; he plays 20 minutes against teams' top players.

"Playing with floating particles speaks to his competitiveness and determination."

Quincey said he took "a lot of positives" from his season.

"Obviously had that ankle issue, but I felt like I did a pretty good job battling through that," Quincey said after the season. "It should be way better next year."

Quincey and Danny DeKeyser formed the team's most consistent pairing since they were united midway through the 2013-14 season. Former coach Mike Babcock referred to them as the club's top defense pairing on multiple occasions this past season.

"I feel like mentally I got a lot better," Quincey said. "The game for me slowed down. I felt I was more patient, kind of fit in my role better.

"It means a lot when (coaches) have confidence to put us out against top lines and on defensive-zone faceoffs we were out there all the time. I'm definitely happy with the season."

Quincey has one year remaining on his contract at a $4.5 million cap hit. He and his teammates can only wonder what might have been if they had beaten Tampa Bay in the first round of the playoffs, losing 2-0 in Game 7. The Lightning face the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup finals, starting on Wednesday.

"I think we showed everybody we should have beaten Tampa," Quincey said. "We proved to ourselves and everyone that we're a very good team."

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