KEITH CAN HELP FILL GAP LEFT BY KLEFBOM: TIPPETT
Veteran defencemen also expected to offer advice on what it takes to make playoff run
Without Oscar Klefbom for a second straight year, Dave Tippett gives the Duncan Keith trade a resounding two thumbs up.
“We have a huge hole in our lineup without Klef ” said the Edmonton Oilers head coach, who switched left-side guys in and out to play with Adam Larsson in the second pair last season with middling success.
“We used a variety of guys with Adam ... Kris Russell, (Dmitry) Kulikov, Caleb (Jones), (William) Lagesson, (Slater) Koekkoek. We need a strong player in our second pairing, it's an impact position matchup wise. Darnell (Nurse) has developed into a top-notch player and he'll get his ice-time, but we need Keith,” said Tippett.
“We're getting a guy who wants to be in Edmonton. He's still a good player, why wouldn't we take a chance on him? He's in phenomenal shape, age is just a number with him. I talked to Duncan after the trade and he's incredibly motivated. We've seen it many times where veteran players get moved and they get invigorated. They know they have to come into a new place and earn their keep, it's not reputation. Duncan has accepted the challenge every year to be a very good player.”
How will Keith help Connor Mcdavid and Leon Draisaitl?
“He's won three Cups and there's wisdom and knowledge that comes with that. He can pass that on, at a critical time in a game. Maybe he can stand up and say `this is the way we have to approach this.' When you've been through a lot of wars, you recognize what it takes. We need more players who know how to read and react in critical situations, the ability to stay in games and not crack,” said Tippett.
“No team wins the Stanley
Cup (with) smooth sailing,” said Keith. “It's being able to ride those ups and downs more smoothly, and if I can bring more of a calming presence, then that's what I want to do. But it's something you need to go through as a team to know what it takes.”
“Whatever little bit of experience I can bring to the team, I'm going to bring that. But my work ethic on the ice is what I'm going to have to bring,” he said.
Apart from Edmonton being close to Penticton to see his boy Colton more often, how much did 97 and 29 help Keith waive his no-trade clause?
“Those guys are front and centre. They're two of the best players in the world. When you get into playoffs, you need elite players to be able to put the puck in the net in tight games and it's certainly a nice thing, and added bonus. But I look up and down the roster and I see a lot of good players, a lot of effective players,” said Keith.
“Zack Kassian's a guy you can look at when physicality starts. He's a good guy to have on the team. He's got skill as well. (Ryan) Nugent-hopkins, they've got a good mix.”
GETTING A LITTLE TESTY
Oiler GM Ken Holland wasn't out to squeeze Stan Bowman. He knows that there's give and take with GMS and you'll eventually be back at their door, trying to make other deals.
“Did you want me to get him for free?” Holland asked. “You wanted a lesser price? You didn't want Caleb Jones (included in the trade)? You didn't want the draft pick? You want them to retain 50 per cent? Which would you like me to do?” he said.
THE BOOK ON JONES
Caleb Jones' game stalled here. He wasn't going to be protected and they have Philip Broberg and Dmitry Samorukov coming on the left side. Both will likely start in Bakersfield. William Lagesson ($725,000) can take Jones' 6-7 role for now.
“Caleb did a lot of things right. He's got some bite to his game. But his game wavered.
It's a maturity thing. He's gone through some trials and tribulations, and hopefully, he goes to Chicago and blossoms,” said Tippett. “He's a very nice young man and he's got the ability to be an NHL regular for a long time.
TOOTHY GRIN
Over-riding memory of Keith: the May 2010 playoff night when a puck came off Patrick Marleau's stick and smashed into Keith's mouth. Blood everywhere, seven teeth knocked out and Keith returned 10 minutes later — mouth frozen, his words a jumbled mumble.
“Just missing teeth, long way from the heart,” he said.