Why does the Oilers' series elimination affect the Blackhawks' draft?
In the closest game of the series, the Avalanche's Artturi Lehkonen scored the game-winner in OT. The Avalanche swept the Oilers, sending them to the Stanley Cup Finals, but what does that have to do with the Blackhawks?
With the Oilers' elimination, the Duncan Keith-Caleb Jones trade is completed. If the Oilers had made it to the final, the third-round pick the Hawks received would've turned into a second-round pick.
Even though the Blackhawks didn't get their second-round pick, it is still safe to assume they won the Keith-Jones trade even if that isn't obvious right now.
Jones at 25-years-old still has time to develop into a well-rounded defenseman. Last season he earned 15 points (5G, 10A) in 51 games. If he plays through a full 82 games, we could see his productivity go up next season.
Because of the trade, Keith can play out the rest of his career close to his family and his son. In the future, he could sign a one-day contract if he wants to retire as a Blackhawk like Marián Hossa.
| POLL | ||
Did the Blackhawks win the Duncan Keith-Caleb Jones trade? | ||
| Yes! | 167 | 46.6 % |
| No... | 93 | 26 % |
| Only time will tell. | 98 | 27.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
