Detroit — Jakub Vrana is nearing a return to the Red Wings' lineup, which necessitates a corresponding move.
On Monday afternoon, the Wings made it, placing defenseman Danny DeKeyser on waivers — on his birthday no less.
DeKeyser, 32, cleared waivers multiple times last season. DeKeyser is in the final two months of a six-year contract worth $30 million ($5 million salary cap hit), and is unlikely to be re-signed by the Wings next season.
If DeKeyser is not picked up by another team by noon Tuesday, which is expected, it's unclear what DeKeyser's role will be the remainder of this season.