Oilers: Three Good Things About the Duncan Keith Trade

You Just Never Know

Advanced analytics are not kind to today’s Duncan Keith. Facing relatively weak competition over the past season, he still didn’t come out on top, and if his speed and reflexes are in decline, that may only get worse.

But looking at his specific circumstances, on a Chicago roster that was a shadow of its former greatness, as well as considering the unbelievable season that fellow 38-year-old Mike Smith had for the Oilers, there is at least a chance that Edmonton can see a positive gain from this acquisition.

It’s too late to ask Chicago to reconsider, so every Oiler fan will hope the upside of the Keith trade presents itself more often than the seemingly massive downside. A reenergized Keith, with improved mental health from the ability to spend days off with his son, might surprise those of us that look at the downward arc of his point totals and performance. If that’s the case, and he plays a strong role on a couple of playoff drives over the coming two seasons, the trade will look far better in the rearview mirror.