Duncan Keith trade rumors have been swirling ever since Wednesday. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet’s original report stated that Keith, who has a full no-movement clause in his contract, preferred to be dealt to either Western Canada or the Pacific Northwest. The story has only gained more specific details since then. It’s since been reported that the Edmonton Oilers and Seattle Kraken were Keith’s preferred destinations, but today, there’s been a lot of discussion on the Oilers’ side of the coin.
Now, a report by The Athletic’s Daniel Nugent-Bowman is suggesting that Edmonton may only pull the trigger on a potential deal if certain conditions are met. Considering the Oilers and general manager Ken Holland’s goal of being in ’win-now’ mode, Keith’s steep $5.5MM cap hit is a complicating factor in any potential deal. So while Chicago won’t be giving him away for peanuts, for Edmonton to swing a deal, the cap differential needs to be close to even when all is said and done.
How that happens isn’t entirely clear. There’s a nearly endless combination of assets in play that could make a deal work here. James Neal’s contract is similarly an albatross, and could get moved the other way with a couple of other pieces packaged in. Earlier reports today suggested that Caleb Jones could be part of a package to Chicago for Keith. Regardless, and especially if Jones is the centerpiece of a deal, Chicago will likely have to retain some amount of salary in a Keith trade. While Chicago is looking to contend sooner rather than later as well, one or even two million dollars against the cap in a retained salary transaction likely won’t be the end of the world.
It’s obvious the Blackhawks want to do right by Keith, who’s given more than anyone could’ve asked for to the franchise. But considering the 37-year-old’s restrictive demands, Chicago’s hands may end up being tied if they can’t get the return they desire — which is to say, a trade, while likely, is never a guarantee.
All contract information is provided by CapFriendly.
Neal’s cap hit is higher than Keith’s and the Blackhawks have less cap space than the Oilers do. Taking Neal’s contract makes zero sense for the Blackhawks. In fact, it would be down right stupid on their part to take on Neal.
Neal hasn’t handcuffed his team requesting a trade to one of 4 teams.
Still doesn’t make sense to take a bigger contract back when you are trying to create cap flexibility
Makes sense if they are trying to do a solid for a guy that has been a class act and key member of 3 cup wins.
They need cap flexibility. That is the main motivation for moving Keith. Neal is useless to them. Keith brings them more value. Taking Neal back makes no sense.
I’m confident the Hawks will try to do right by Keith, but I don’t think they’ll eat money while also taking back a similar value contract, nor do I think they’ll give up assets beyond filler/depth just to get off him. It may just be that he doesn’t have any trade value, at which point they should/will hold on to him for at least another year if not the full 2. Keith still has some value to the Hawks and I trust him to be the consummate professional if nothing suitable can be worked out trade wise.
Knowing Holland like i do as an Oilers fan, the Oil will somehow come out of this worse for wear!! Keep Caleb Jones and send bad contracts back to Chi in exchange for Keith if he is dead set on coming home. We need to dump Koskinen and get a No.1 goalie with this 20 million cap space and Nurse will demand a lot of money next year!!
Chicago has less cap space than Edmonton does. They can’t really afford to take on bad contracts. If the Oilers don’t want to make the deal without a bad contract going back the other way, then don’t make the trade. Chicago isn’t taking Neal
Edmonton doesn’t need a 5.5M 2nd pairing defensive defenseman. They have Larsson for that and will likely cost about 2M less.
If Keith comes to Edmonton they won’t be paying for what Keith has done in the past. That’s up to Chicago to do. The Oilers are the ones to benefit in this situation. If Chicago wants to do Keith a solid and send him Edmontons way it comes with a price for them to pay not the Oilers.