Three-time Stanley Champion defenseman, Duncan Keith is headed to Edmonton as the Chicago Blackhawks shipped him and Tim Soderland to the Oilers in exchange for Caleb Jones and a conditional 2022 draft pick.
Update on the Keith/Jones trade. https://t.co/lhPsFoMZwi
— Full Press Hockey (@FullPressNHL) July 12, 2021
Drafted in the second round of the 2002 NHL Draft, the 37-year-old Keith made his debut with the Blackhawks in 2005 and has played his entire 16-year career in Chicago. Despite being in the latter stages of his career, he has missed just 12 games over the last five seasons with the Blackhawks. Keith was integral to the Blackhawks’ three Stanley Cup titles in the 2010s, taking home Conn Smythe honors following the 2014-15 season. In addition, he is a three-time All-Star and a two-time Norris Trophy winner.
Keith has two years remaining on a 13-year, $72 million contract as the Oilers are clearly hoping his veteran leadership and ability on the ice helps get a team, littered with talent, over the hump.
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Of course, last year, the Oilers finished second in the Scotia North Division but fell in four straight to the Winnipeg Jets in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Oilers have plenty of offensive talent with the likes of Connor McDavid, Leon Driasaitl, and, to a lesser extent, the recently re-signed Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. However, they were still in the bottom third of the league in 5-on-5 goals given up this past season. Not necessarily a recipe for success.
In order to acquire the veteran d-man, the Oilers had to give up defenseman Caleb Jones, brother of Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones. Jones, drafted in 2015, has played 93 games over three seasons with the Oilers with five goals and 14 assists in that time.
