Chicago Blackhawks: 3 trades to make with West playoff teams

The Chicago Blackhawks might consider trading Duncan Keith at this point.

Duncan Keith is one of the best players in the history of the Chicago Blackhawks. He is certainly the best defenseman the team has ever had. There are some people still stuck on some of the older defensemen but Keith has offensive stats, Norris Trophies, Stanley Cups, and a Conn Smythe Trophy on his resume. When he retires, he should be going to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot and will have his number retired at the United Center.

With that said, Keith will be 38 years old by the time next season starts. He is signed through the end of the 2022-23 season on his current deal at 5.5 million. When he was in his prime it was the biggest bargain of a contract in the National Hockey League. He is still a good player but he is not the elite number one that he once was. If he went to the Colorado Avalanche, they would be able to get the most out of him at this point in his career.

Colorado might be the defending Stanley Cup champions by the time they are able to make trades again and if they’re not it will be one of the biggest disappointments in the league. Keith would have a real chance to go out on top if he was traded there. Landing two third-round picks would also be a great haul for a 38-year-old defenseman.

Nobody knows if any of these guys are actually going to be traded. They should know, however, that this team isn’t going anywhere right now. They need to make trades and stockpile draft picks and prospects as much as they can. These trades would certainly help them get that started.