Is Kyle Quincey Out in Detroit?

Looks like a savvy defenseman is preparing to return to the Red Wings, which might change the Wings' landscape for their future.

Danny DeKeyser is coming back from a separated shoulder suffered on Nov. 21. He's been on the ice daily and increasing his practice time and productivity. He's only two weeks away, though, but he can't come back without something else being done. And that belongs to trading away defenseman Kyle Quincey.

Quincey has been awful since being acquired in a trade in February of 2012. He's minus 9 and only has three points, all assists, in 29 games. He could be traded for a cheaper veteran defenseman or a draft pick, though it's most likely going to be a draft pick. This would also clear up some salary cap room for the Wings, who have a $3.775 million salary hit on Quincey.

Although there have been many other options, such as waiving Mikael Samuelsson or Henrik Zetterberg, the likely outcome is trading Quincey. DeKeyser improved the Wings' defense last April, when he signed straight out of Western Michigan. He has been referred to as an "elite, elite guy," by Coach Mike Babcock and he is the team's No. 3 defenseman behind Jonathan Ericsson and Niklas Kronwall.

Kyle Quincey is indeed out of Detroit. DeKeyser has proven to be better and when he comes back from injuries, he makes that Red Wings defense look fierce. Unfortunately, Quincey has not played well and that's why they've lost games, like to the Philadelphia Flyers a couple of nights ago. The thing is, on the Red Wings, you have to produce day in and day out. This team is one that does not enjoy players having slumps, and the fans and personnel there will let them know it. So, unfortunately, for Quincey, he is out. Whether he's traded or waived, Quincey hasn't proven to be a great defenseman since coming over from the Colorado Avalanche. The Wings are gonna have to do this quick, otherwise, they're gonna be in the cellar and it's tricky to get out of that situation.

Just a little note: I am currently playing Kyle Quincey on my Urban United team in Big Win NHL, playing on the 1st line defense pairing with Nick Schultz of the Edmonton Oilers. He's a silver player, so at least he's not a bronze. Just thought I'd put that in there.