I have like 15 emotions running through my bloodstream over this one. Shock is not one of them, obviously. We’ve kinda known for a while that Duncan Keith was going to be leaving the Blackhawks. Talks broke not to long ago and as time went on, it became fact but today it was all finalized. The Hawks traded Duncan Kith and Tim Söderlund to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Caleb Jones and a 2022 3rd Round Pick.
Of course the headliner of the trade is Duncan Keith. Keith has played with the Hawks for 16 seasons after being drafted 54th overall by them back in 2002. The soon to be 38 year old will be dearly missed in this city. He would carry the Hawks on his back, he was just an animal out there. He has in total played 1,192 NHL games and put up 625 points (105G 520A). He won 3 Cups in Chicago, 2 Norris trophies, and a Conn Smythe as well as being a 3 time All-Star.
I’m sad to see Duncs go. I looked up to him throughout my teenage years when the Hawks were at their peak. He was a guy who always worked so hard and never gave up. Plus he was a funny, quirky son of a bitch so I saw myself in him for sure. So there is that sting there but he has talked so much about how he wants to be closer to his son that I also can’t help but be happy for him. He’s given a lot to Chicago and seeing him go sucks but as we’ve learned a lot recently, sometimes it’s better to just move on from here. I think he’s still got a lot left in the tank and I think he’ll do just fine with Edmonton. I really do wish him all the best.
On the flipside, I do like this trade. The Hawks don’t retain any of his salary so that clears up a lot of the troubles we were looking at this off season. I will admit that I don’t know a whole lot about Caleb Jones. He played in 33 NHL games last season and put up 4 points with a -7 rating and an average Corsi For of 48.4%. I’ve said it a few times but I don’t like to really judge how players will be with the team until I see it so I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt here. Maybe the change of scenery will do him some good and we’ll see a gem in this kid.
Like I said losing Duncan stings but this could be good for the Hawks. It’s crazy to think that we only have Kane and Toews left from the main core of the Dynasty. But really, we always knew it would be them. I’m happy Duncs will be happier up there, closer to his son, the guy deserves it after years of grinding it out in Chicago. I’m sure he’ll pull a Sharpie and do a one year some day to retire as a Hawk but for now, it will be so fucking weird to see him in orange. Here are some highlights and the best interview of him:
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