Minor Transactions: 02/01/19
Finally a full slate of games is on deck for the NHL tonight, with eight matches taking place mostly in Eastern Conference cities. The Dallas Stars are the only Western team to host a matchup as they welcome the Minnesota Wild in for a game that will determine who sits in third place in the Central Division tomorrow morning. The Stars and Wild have both teetered on the edge of the playoffs this season, but will try to start a pursuit of Nashville and Winnipeg tonight.
- The Carolina Hurricanes have sent Haydn Fleury back down, continuing his yo-yo season between the NHL and AHL. The young defenseman is still waiting for a full-time opportunity on the Carolina blue line, one that might come if the team decides to move one of their veteran names at the deadline.
- Henri Jokiharju was sent down this week by the Chicago Blackhawks, and now we know who he was making room for. The team has activated Gustav Forsling off injured reserve. Forsling hasn’t played a game for the Blackhawks in almost a month as he was dealing with an upper-body injury.
Duncan Keith Will Decide His Fate At Deadline
The Chicago Blackhawks are trying to sell off some of their expiring assets, making names like Chris Kunitz and Marcus Kruger available. But if they expect to effect real change on the roster moving forward they may have to move some of their more popular players. While it still seems like Brent Seabrook‘s contract would prevent him from going anywhere, it’s a different story for Duncan Keith. Even at 35 and with four year remaining on his deal, there would likely be interest in the defenseman. To that end, the Blackhawks will go to Keith at the deadline and ask him what he what he wants to do according to Pierre LeBrun on last night’s Insider Trading for TSN.
Keith’s contract includes a full no-movement clause, but even more than that his status as a historic player for the Chicago organization will afford him the ability to decide his future. If he wants to stay with the Blackhawks through the end of his career that is his prerogative, but the team will see if he would rather go compete for another Stanley Cup instead.
That kind of reverence is expected when dealing with a player of Keith’s stature. The veteran was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players when the league released a ranking a few years ago, and certainly holds that honor with the Blackhawks organization as well. A two-time Norris Trophy winner as the league’s best defenseman, Keith also took home a Conn Smythe in 2015 when he led Chicago to a third Stanley Cup. In 126 playoff games with the Blackhawks he has averaged more than 28 minutes a night of rock solid defensive work, and earned Norris votes in ten consecutive seasons prior to last year.
Still, with the amount left on his contract there is risk involved in a Keith trade. Not only could the acquiring team be stuck with a declining asset for several more years, but the Blackhawks could very well have to sell him for an extremely underwhelming return. In this case the decision is up to him, but it might be a sad day in Chicago if one of the greatest players in team history is given away for a few draft picks or prospects.
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