Oilers acquire Duncan Keith in trade with Blackhawks

The Edmonton Oilers have bolstered their blueline and added some veteran leadership to their roster.

In a trade that was finalized on Monday afternoon, they sent defenceman Caleb Jones and a conditional 2022 third-round draft pick (that will convert into a second if Edmonton makes the Stanley Cup Final) in exchange for veteran d-man Duncan Keith and minor league forward Tim Soderlund.

An important part of the deal to note is that the Blackhawks will not retain any of Keith’s salary. That means the Oilers are on the books for the final two seasons of his 13-year, $72 million contract. He will be owed
$3.6 million over the next two seasons, but it will come with a salary cap hit of $5.538 million.

Keith, 37, is far removed from his prime years but has put together a legendary career that will most likely end up with him being selected to the Hockey Hall of Fame once he is eligible.

He had spent his entire 16-year career with the Blackhawks leading up to this point; winning three Stanley Cups, two Norris trophies, two Winter Olympic gold medals, and a Conn Smythe trophy to go a long with four NHL All-Star Game and two NHL First All-Star team selections. But at this point in his life, he recognizes the importance of family and wanted to play closer to his song (who lives in Penticton, British Columbia).

“At this point in my career I feel that being closer to my son Colton that was a huge thing for me and I just felt like the Edmonton Oilers was a good fit, a great fit,” said Keith.

“And I’m excited to start this next chapter of my career and try and win a Cup here in Edmonton.”