The Duncan Keith deal between Chicago and Edmonton looked like one of those trades that could tilt both franchises in different ways, and in a sense, it did. On July 12, 2021, the Blackhawks sent Keith and prospect Tim Soderlund to the Oilers for Caleb Jones and a conditional third-round pick, with the pick tied to Keith and Edmonton’s success before Chicago later moved it in another deal.
At the time, both clubs were trying to solve the same problem from opposite ends. Chicago was trying to rework a roster built around a mix of youth and veterans, while Edmonton was chasing a deeper playoff run and needed more certainty on the blue line.
Keith arrived in Alberta with three Stanley Cups, two Norris Trophys, and a Conn Smythe among his accolades, and the Oilers were banking on his experience and instincts. Jones, meanwhile, landed in Chicago hoping to carve out a bigger role on a young team loaded with talent up front.
Jones gave the Blackhawks real value early on. In his first season, he played 51 games and put up 15 points while handling third-pairing minutes and posting solid all-around numbers.
His second year was the one that stood out most. In 2022-23, he set a career high with 16 points in 73 games, jumped from just under 17 minutes of ice time per night to more than 19, and piled up career bests with 118 blocked shots and 116 hits.
The minus-19 was part of the package, and the giveaways popped up too, but Chicago got a useful defenseman out of the trade.
It didn’t last. After that season, Jones’ path went sideways fast.
He split 2023-24 between the Colorado Avalanche and their AHL team, then spent the next season with the LA Kings and their farm club. Last season, he appeared in seven games for the Pittsburgh Penguins and one more for their AHL affiliate.
Injuries have been a factor, and he also served a 20-game suspension this past winter for PEDs. He remains under contract through 2026-27 with Pittsburgh.
Keith’s side of the story was shorter, but it mattered. In 2021-22, he bounced around Edmonton’s lineup and averaged 19:44 of ice time, finishing with 21 points in 64 games.
His usual numbers dipped, which was expected in his 17th season, but he still blocked 114 shots and finished plus-15. More than the stat line, he gave the Oilers exactly what they wanted: a veteran who could steady the back end, think the game at a high level, and play meaningful minutes.
Edmonton made a postseason run and reached the Western Conference Final before being swept by the Avalanche, and Keith was part of the push.
Soderlund never became much of a factor. He played seven games for Bakersfield, the Oilers’ AHL affiliate, and didn’t record a point. He was later sent to the ECHL before returning overseas, where he had played before being drafted.
So who won? It’s a close one, but the edge goes to Edmonton.
Keith gave them one useful season, helped mentor Evan Bouchard, and was part of a playoff run that mattered. Jones had his moments in Chicago, but he didn’t stay long and hasn’t turned into the player many once expected.
Five years later, the Oilers get the nod.
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