Duncan Keith and Edmonton Oilers announce his new role with the franchise after retirement
The Edmonton Oilers have announced they will sign former defenceman Duncan Keith to a player development role contract, Sportsnet's Mark Spector reports.
The 38-year-old played the first 16 seasons of his career with the Blackhawks, before joining the Edmonton Oilers via trade for the 2021-22 season.
His retirement has had significant salary cap implications for both the Oilers and the Blackhawks. For Edmonton, Keith has one year remaining at $5.54 million. That money will now become straight savings and create flexibility for the team.
Chicago, meanwhile, will face a cap recapture penalty of $5.54 million next season and $1.9 million in 2023-23. The reason being that contracts like Keith's long-term, back loaded 13-year, $72-million deal signed in 2009 are now illegal under the CBA. The Blackhawks are therefore being penalized for cap space they saved throughout the first 11 seasons of his contract.
In total, he produced 625 points and a plus-144 rating, averaging a 24:57 ice-time over 1,192 career games.
The Winnipeg native broke the 60-point plateau in both his Norris Trophy-winning seasons, scoring career highs in points (69) and goals (14) in 2009-10.
| POLL | ||
Where do you see the Oilers finishing in the 2022-2023 Season? | ||
| Top 3 in the Pacific | 33 | 34.7 % |
| In a Wild Card Spot | 20 | 21.1 % |
| Missing the Playoffs | 18 | 18.9 % |
| Champions of the Pacific Division | 24 | 25.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
