Edmonton Oilers
Interest Between Duncan Keith’s Camp and the Oilers Reportedly “Mutual”
A report on Thursday suggests the Edmonton Oilers and Duncan Keith’s camp could have mutual interest in coming together.
Hold onto your seats Oilers fans, it sounds like there’s a real possibility that the Edmonton Oilers and Duncan Keith have a mutual interest in making something work. A recent report suggests the Oilers might be targeting Keith and there’s a shared interest from Keith’s camp in possibly getting something done with Edmonton.
As per Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal, because the Oilers are moving forward under the assumption that Oscar Klefbom will not be available this coming season, they are on the hunt for a second-pair left-shot defenseman to play behind Darnell Nurse. Apparently, they’ve pegged Keith as a legitimate option.
Leavins writes: “I believe Edmonton’s #1 target in that regard is Duncan Keith, and that the interest between Keith’s camp and the Oilers is mutual.” He goes on to cite Elliotte Friedman’s report that the Chicago Blackhawks are working on moving Keith (possibly as per a request) and Leavins explains:
Well, Keith considers the Okanagan “home”, near where he spent his teens in Penticton, British Columbia. He has family out by me in Vancouver, an easy flight from Edmonton. There are a handful of North and Western-based NHL teams that would be able to accommodate him, geographically including (but not limited to) Edmonton. Fellow Okanagan residents Holland and veteran goaltender Mike Smith (who I fully expect to re-sign) also live “just down the road” during the off-season, figuratively speaking.
Related: Chicago Blackhawks Reportedly Working With Duncan Keith on Trade

Leavins points out that Keith recently changed agents, and is now being represented by Edmonton’s Gerry Johansson of The Sports Corporation. While that’s not conclusive evidence the Oilers are now immediately to be considered favorites in the “Keith trade sweepstakes” Leavins does not that Johansson has not been shy about pitching clients on the positives on playing in Edmonton. Not a lot of agents do so.
Would Keith Be a Good Fit in Edmonton?
This news is going to sit differently with Oilers fans. Some will love it, arguing his past pedigree, leadership and skill is a great fit with this current roster. They’ll suggest if slotted behind Nurse a 37-year old who was playing north of 25 minutes per game in Chicago would be fine playing 18 minutes in Edmonton. He has posted more than 40 points 9 times in his career.
Leavins also writes, “Experience matters. Keith is a battle-tested, 3-time Stanley Cup Champion and Team Canada stalwart. A tremendous leader on the ice and off, that’s a lot of extra “how to play the right way” without needing to have a letter on his chest, as he did in the Windy City.”
Others will say his career is washed up and this is a declining asset the Oilers should steer clear of. Two more NHL seasons at $5.538 million per season is not the easiest cap hit to swallow.
Next: Seven Reasons Wayne Simmonds Re-Signed with the Maple Leafs

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