Edmonton Oilers and Duncan Keith could be perfect trade match

The Edmonton Oilers are apparently a preferred trade destination for Duncan Keith, and if a deal can get done it looks like a perfect match.

Duncan Keith and the Chicago Blackhawks are reportedly working together to facilitate a trade to either the Pacific Northwest or Western Canada so he can be closer to his family. The Edmonton Oilers have emerged as one of the veteran defenseman’s preferred landing spots, and according to Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic (subscription required) the Oilers are interested under the right circumstances.

Specifically, the Oilers want the Blackhawks to retain part of Keith’s salary and take on one of their “bad” contracts in the deal. On the player/contract front, winger James Neal is a bad contract that nearly matches Keith’s and defenseman Caleb Jones has already been reported as a possibility to go back to Chicago in a deal for Keith.

Duncan Keith trade rumors: Oilers could be a perfect fit

Keith had 15 points (four goals) with a -13 plus/minus over 54 games this season, while playing a team-high 23:25 per game for the Blackhawks. He will turn 38 on July 16, and he has two years left on his contract with a cap hit a little north of $5.5 million each year. The Oilers have about $16.2 million in cap space right now, albeit with a list of internal free agents to address.

Keith was of course an integral part of Chicago’s three Stanley Cup-winning teams from 2010-2015, and the Blackhawks are the only team he has played for. He would add valuable experience in what might line up to be a top-four role on the Oilers’ blue line.

Via Cap Friendly’s Trade Machine right now, a 1-for-1 deal sending Keith to the Oilers for Jones works with or without Chicago retaining part of Keith’s salary. But that’s also without accounting for anyone Edmonton would sign or re-sign, so those early surface level mechanics won’t hold up for very long.

If Keith, who has a full no-move clause, wants to go Edmonton the Blackhawks will surely do whatever it takes to make it happen and do right by one of their long-time stalwarts. The Oilers will have to make some difficult decisions regardless, so if Chicago will take on the right amount of retained salary it’ll be a no-brainer to make the move.