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The Only Duncan Keith Scenario That Makes Sense For Edmonton |
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Over the past few days I have written far more about Duncan Keith than I ever expected to as an Oilers blogger. Moving past the ranting and raving, here are my thoughts; spending assets, particularly young defensemen who still could develop into legitimate top four players such as Caleb Jones on a soon to be 38 year old defenseman who has been in decline for the past couple seasons is a bad idea. I firmly believe the Oilers best opportunity to win is in the next 3-5 seasons. Every move that the Oilers do moving forward should answer yes to the question, "does this move help to achieve that goal."
Trading for Duncan Keith and likely taking on a good chunk of his salary, because despite what some are trying to say the Hawks are absolutely trying to do this because they want the salary dump, would take a good chunk out of the Oilers cap. Edmonton has close to 20 million to improve their roster. Using 4-5 million of that on Keith is bad management.
There is one scenario however, that makes sense to me for the Oilers to pursue Duncan Keith which involves a few hypotheticals to go Edmonton's way.
Holland and Klefbom are reportedly meeting this week or next week to discuss the defenseman's recovery and potential NHL future. The fact that Klefbom was not placed on the IR exemption list for the Expansion Draft should offer fans at least a glimmer of hope that he will return. Imagine a scenario where Holland and Klefbom have a conversation. Klefbom tells Holland that his recovery has gone well and he wants to return to the NHL but he doesn't think he will be up to return until January at the earliest. Holland probably shares a weird anecdote about a player who got injured in Detroit and Oscar awkwardly listens until telling Ken that his soup is boiling over and he has to go.
At the same time, Keith and Hawks GM Stan Bowman are having discussions of their own. Keith wants to go out west and his NMC handcuffs the Hawks on making a trade (another reason why some of the trade suggestions of what Edmonton would need to offer are laughable). Edmonton has walked away from trade talks leaving the Hawks without much of a suitor. Keith and Bowman go way back though and Keith has been a good soldier. A buyout only gives the team about 1 million in savings but perhaps the two sides agree to mutually terminate the contract.
Duncan Keith becomes a free agent and Ken Holland signs the 38 year old to a one year deal at 1-1.5 million. Keith steps in as the second pairing defenseman for the first half of the season in a sheltered role with Jones or Russell stepping up as needed. Later in the year if Oscar Klefbom does return, Tippett can reevaluate his roster. If Keith has performed well in the role, than he can shelter Klefbom more to ease him back into the game. If Keith has struggled he can do the same (albeit with Jones or Russell in a more pronounced role) or he can throw Klef into the fold and say run.
This is the only Keith acquisition that makes sense to me. The Hawks have no power here. Keith controls where he can go with his NMC and the Hawks want cap relief to go out and make a big add such as Seth Jones or Dougie Hamilton which has been reported. There is no reason Edmonton needs to do the Hawks any favours. All Ken Holland has to do is wait for the pressure to build on the Hawks. Worst case scenario, the Hawks decide to keep Keith another year and Edmonton pursues other avenues if they need a stop gap defender in the top four, or pursue someone like Oleksiak in free agency. Trading assets to acquire Keith at even 3 million a year? No thank you.
This will be the last time I bring up Keith until there is actually something to report on him. Until then and as always, thanks for reading.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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