Report: Oilers interested in Keith if Blackhawks retain or take on salary

The Edmonton Oilers are open to acquiring Duncan Keith if the Chicago Blackhawks can ease their financial burden.

Edmonton is interested in the veteran defenseman, but only at the right price and under the right circumstances, a team source told The Athletic's Daniel Nugent-Bowman.

The Oilers reportedly want the Blackhawks to retain a portion of Keith's salary or take one of Edmonton's "bad" contracts in a potential deal. But the Oilers don't expect the Blackhawks to part so easily with Keith, who played a major role in his team's three championships from 2010-15.

On Wednesday, it was reported Keith is working with Chicago to facilitate a trade to either the Pacific Northwest or western Canada so he can be closer to his family in Penticton, British Columbia. Keith, who'll turn 38 on July 16, has a full no-movement clause in his contract. Two years remain on that pact at a roughly $5.54-million cap hit.

Keith's play significantly declined this season, as he collected only 15 points in 54 games. However, he averaged a team-high 23:25 of ice time in 2021.

The Oilers have about $16 million in cap space, but they still need to sign pending unrestricted free agent defenseman Adam Larsson and soon-to-be UFA goalie Mike Smith. Edmonton also has a slew of additional pending free agents, including young forward Kailer Yamamoto and more experienced winger Alex Chiasson.