As the NHL Draft and free agency creep closer, there’s been a lot of talk in Edmonton about what veteran defenseman Duncan Keith will decide in regards to his NHL future. The Oilers asked Keith to let them know if he would be returning for the final season on his current contract so they could plan around his potential exit. Most believed he would be returning. Things may have changed.
While there’s still a sense that Keith may be back, as per Ryan Rishaug of the Got Yer Back podcast: “Duncan Keith is absolutely considering retirement.” Rishaug added that the Oilers would have their answer by now if he was sold on coming back. He didn’t have first-hand knowledge that Keith had offered a response to the Oilers’ request, but he said the player has to be considering not returning if he’s not already told the Oilers just two days out of the NHL draft.
If that’s the case, Rishaug said Keith and Tyson Barrie could be tied together. The Oilers might not want to move Barrie and Keith at the same time and that’s a good point considering the Oilers will have a hard time replacing all these players who are apparently on the way out.
There was also a lot of talk on Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer about having to replace Keith if he does elect to hang up his skates, which leaves the team in an interesting position. What will you pay for as a replacement if Keith leaves? The Oilers have too much cap space tied up in Keith, but he was a solid second-pairing defenseman who averaged just under 20 minutes per game. He has one year left on his deal, but any free agent who comes in with likely have to be signed for three or four seasons.
Should Oilers Fight Cap Credit Ruling
If Keith does retire, the NHL has said the Oilers won’t receive a cap credit, but Hart Levine of Puck Pedia says the Oilers should absolutely fight that ruling and ask the NHLPA to back them. Since the Chicago Blackhawks will be hit with a cap recapture penalty, the Oilers should also get the $3.4 million cap credit that the CBA suggests they should receive. That would free up close to $10 million for the Oilers in terms of extra cap space if Keith leaves. That’s a massive help.
The Oilers Have a Lot of Rumored Bodies Going Out
If Keith retires, could there really be a situation where the Oilers lose as many as eight of their regular NHL players from last season’s roster? There are rumors of Jesse Puljujarvi, Tyson Barrie, Warren Foegle, and Zack Kassian being traded. If Mike Smith and Keith retire, that’s six. Evander Kane and Brett Kulak could leave in free agency. That’s eight.
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