One of the key components of the Chicago Blackhawks’ run of three Stanley Cup championships in six seasons is on the move, as the team has reportedly agreed to trade defenseman Duncan Keith to the Edmonton Oilers.
Hockey Night in Canada’s Elliotte Friedman, who broke the story in late June that Keith and the Blackhawks were working on a trade to get the defenseman closer to his family, reported Monday that a trade was close, and then Frank Seravalli of DailyFaceoff.com reported that the deal had been done pending a trade call.
The Oilers confirmed the trade Monday evening, announcing that they had acquired Keith and forward Tim Soderlund from the Blackhawks in exchange for defenseman Caleb Jones and a conditional 2022 draft pick.
The pick was reported to be a third round pick by Friedman, but the teams have not confirmed that portion of the deal.
Keith, who was drafted by the Blackhawks in the second round of the 2002 NHL Draft, has spent his entire pro career with the team, registering 105 goals and dishing out 520 assists in 1,192 career games. He ranks second all-time among Blackhawks players in games played, trailing only Stan Mikita, and sixth in career assists.
In addition to three Stanley Cup championships, Keith is a two-time winner of the Norris Trophy, given to the league’s best defenseman, and won the 2015 Conn Smythe Trophy, given to the most valuable player of the NHL postseason.
Earlier this offseason, Keith reportedly requested a trade from the Blackhawks, seeking to move closer to his family in the Pacific Northwest.
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Jones has appeared in 93 NHL games, with five goals and 14 assists to his credit. He played in 33 games for the Oilers last season, with four assists and a minus-7 rating.
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