from David Staples of the Edmonton Journal,

This in from Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland, his take on the trade that saw Edmonton acquire Duncan Keith for a third round draft pick and Caleb Jones.

The key quotes:

- “It’s hard to pass up a player that has got as much experience and success as Duncan Keith. Not only will Duncan help us on the ice but he’ll be a tremendous leader in the locker room… Obviously excited today, a legitimate Top 4 defenceman and I know Duncan is very, very excited.”

- Holland defended the Blackhawks not retaining any of Keith’s $5.5 million per salary. “If we were to retain up to 50 per cent, if we were getting Duncan Keith at $2.75 (million per year) the price would have been a lot higher than it was today. Chicago is getting a young defenceman in Caleb Jones that was in and out of our line-up, who we were hoping to grow into a regular spot, and a third round draft pick. They are excited to get Caleb Jones…. If we wanted to have low salary, we would have had to put in more assets.”

- Asked by Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic whether he could have done better on the Keith deal, Holland said, “What, do you want me to get him for free? You want a lesser price? You want Caleb Jones? You don’t want the draft pick? You want them to retain 50 per cent? Which would you like me to do? Do you want me to get them to retain money? Or do you think I paid too high a price with Caleb Jones and a third round pick?

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