from Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal,

While the Edmonton Oilers pursue Duncan Keith in a trade as a second-pairing left defenceman because of Oscar Klefbom’s serious shoulder repair, there is one overriding issue.

After unrestricted free-agent forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ signing, general manager Ken Holland was asked if that meant the Oilers were now protecting seven forwards and only three defencemen.

“Yes,” he said. No stick-handling.

So, if Darnell Nurse and Ethan Bear are automatics and Holland gets unrestricted free-agent Adam Larsson signed before the expansion lists have to be finalized July 17, that gives him his three defencemen. So, where does that put Keith? Does this mean any possible deal for Keith has to come after the July 21 Seattle expansion draft and the NHL amateur draft July 23-24?

Does this mean Chicago has to use up a defence-protected spot on Keith, who has a no-move clause, and possibly lose Riley Stillman? Yes, it does. So, as Holland works away at trying to get the 2015 Conn Smythe playoff MVP, trying to get Keith’s cap hit down into the $3-million range through Chicago Blackhawks cap retention or the Oilers off-loading an undesired body or a left D prospect and a draft pick in 2022, nothing is imminent. Caleb Jones’s name keeps coming up in a trade, but he could also be picked by Seattle. Dmitry Samorukov might make more sense to the Hawks because he’s bigger and the Hawks are chock full of talented smaller D.

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