BREAKING: Duncan Keith Makes a Return to The NHL
It seems that familiarity and nostalgia have become themes in NHL dressing rooms of late. This trend was evident during the Hockey Hall of Fame weekend when the Calgary Flames experienced a visit from recently inducted Hall of Fame goaltender Mike Vernon.
He entered the dressing room to announce the starting lineup and provided the team with a pep talk.
Similar gestures were observed with other teams, including the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators. Former captain and NHL legend Matt Sundin, along with Senators' ex-captain and current Senator employee Daniel Alfredsson, also joined their respective old teams' dressing rooms during the NHL Global Series in Sweden.
The Oilers have now embraced this trend, as former Oilers defenseman Duncan Keith has reappeared with the team.
Keith spent only one season with the Oilers in 2021-2022, playing 64 games, scoring one goal with 20 assists for a total of 21 points, and boasting a +15 rating.
The pedigree he brings to the dressing room, as a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks and his extensive experience in playoff hockey, was invaluable for this young team.
This move could also serve as a means to stabilize the dressing room, given the team's recent challenges.
The Oilers are still recovering from a week of uncertainty and shock following the removal of Jay Woodcroft and Dave Manson from their coaching duties. Kris Knoblauch and Oilers veteran and legend Paul Coffey have been installed as the new coaching staff.
Since the coaching change, the Oilers have secured two consecutive wins and are set to face the Tampa Bay Lightning on the road. The game is scheduled for 4:00 PM Eastern at Amalie Arena.
| POLL | ||
Did you like Duncan Keith on the Oilers? | ||
| Yes | 49 | 38 % |
| No | 80 | 62 % |
| List of polls | ||
