Oilers Make Trade With Blackhawks to Acquire Duncan Keith [Report]

A number of sources are reporting that a trade between the Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers is close to happening. Bob Stauffer of Oilers Now is reporting the deal between the two teams won’t include Ethan Bear or Ryan McLeod but could include Caleb Jones and a conditional pick. That deal could be finalized in the next couple hours.

More than just Stauffer are reporting this as well. Frank Seravalli writes, “Pending trade call, sounds like #Hawks Duncan Keith will indeed be heading to #Oilers in exchange for D Caleb Jones and a mid-round pick (3rd or 4th round).” Elliotte Friedman is also reporting the two sides are closing in on a deal and others have picked up on the story too. John Shannon is reporting the deal is done and it’s Jones and a third-round pick for Keith. Darren Dreger is reporting there is no salary retained by the Blackhawks.

LIVE | #Oilers defenceman Duncan Keith addresses the media following today's trade with Chicago#LetsGoOilers https://t.co/jCk7hIxCC0

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) July 12, 2021

The full terms of the trade are as follows, as per the report by NHL.com:

“The Edmonton Oilers have acquired defenceman Duncan Keith and forward Tim Soderlund from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for blueliner Caleb Jones and a conditional pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. The pick will be Edmonton’s third-round selection in 2022; or, in the event that the Oilers win three rounds in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs and Keith is among the top four Edmonton defencemen in total time on ice through the first three rounds, Chicago will receive Edmonton’s second-round pick in 2022.”

Related: Oilers Have “Take It Or Leave It” Trade Deal on Table for Duncan Keith

This is going to sit funny for a lot of Oilers fans. Depending on whether or not any salary is retained could be the key to how this trade is received. If Chicago gets away with not retaining salary, most fans aren’t going to like this regardless of how well they respect Keith and what’s he’s provided as an NHL player over the past many years. If the Oilers do get Chicago to retain salary, it might settle some fans down.

There will be fans in Edmonton who suggest either asset was too much to give up for Keith, while others think he’ll be useful in a more limited role.

As for how this deal will affect the Oilers expansion draft plans, per Jonathan Willis of The Athletic, “Keith will presumably take Edmonton’s third expansion slot on defence, joining Nurse and Bear. A trade now suggests Larsson won’t be signed prior to the Seattle draft.”

Is This a Good Deal For Both Sides?

The acquisition of Keith, especially if no salary is retained is a gamble for the Oilers. He could pay off in a big way. He could be a huge money commitment for not much return. We’ll find out over the course of the next season if Keith can settle down any of his many naysayers.

As for the Blackhawks, we’ll see if landing Caleb Jones has a positive effect on their ability to land his brother Seth Jones via trade.

Next: More On Maple Leafs Potential Interest in Taylor Hall, Other UFA Talk