NHL - Sports Rumors

Thu Nov 19, 2009 6:12 am EST

Blackhawks hanging onto defenseman Keith for 13 more years?

By Mark J. Miller

“DuncanNow that the Chicago Blackhawks have got youngsters Jonathan Toews(notes) and Patrick Kane(notes) extremely close to being tied up in contract extensions, the team is supposedly close to finishing off a long-term extension for defenseman Duncan Keith(notes), according to ESPN.

The rumor is that the Blackhawks would like to keep Keith in town until he decides to hang up his skates years down the road. The extension could be for as low as eight years and as high as 13.

And why not? The 26-year-old All-Star is considered one of the best defensemen in the league and regularly is a leader in minutes played for the team. In 2006-7, he had 31 points with 29 assists and 2 goals and led the team in blocked shots with 148.

Source: ESPNNew Window

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20 Comments

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  1. Pete D
    1. Posted by Pete D Thu Nov 19, 2009 7:09 am EST

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    lock him up 'Hawks!
  2. Tacks
    2. Posted by Tacks Thu Nov 19, 2009 7:40 am EST

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    Keith has replacement shinpads on his amazon wishlist this year if he's going to be blocking that many shots for the next 13 years. Ouch.
  3. Doktor Pod
    3. Posted by Doktor Pod Thu Nov 19, 2009 8:04 am EST

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    Find a way Hawks. We've GOT to keep Dunk around.
  4. thetazz12002
    4. Posted by thetazz12002 Thu Nov 19, 2009 11:00 am EST

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    Go hawks good move....Now lets kick some butt.
  5. thetazz12002
    5. Posted by thetazz12002 Thu Nov 19, 2009 11:00 am EST

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    Go hawks good move....Now lets kick some butt.
  6. Durk D
    6. Posted by Durk D Thu Nov 19, 2009 2:55 pm EST

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    No brainer! Need someone to show Brian Campbell how D is supposed to be played!!!!
  7. ChrisW
    7. Posted by ChrisW Thu Nov 19, 2009 3:04 pm EST

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    Probably the best all around d-man in the league. Hopefully he's in Chicago a long time.
  8. Gravie
    8. Posted by Gravie Thu Nov 19, 2009 3:20 pm EST

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    13 years is a risky contract. it will keep the average low, smart move.
  9. drshclavin
    9. Posted by drshclavin Thu Nov 19, 2009 4:02 pm EST

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    Everyone' s coment right on, but I think in this the other D-men around him help the situation. For one Brent Sopel has been OUT STANDING the intier season. !! GO HAWKS GO !!
  10. James
    10. Posted by James Thu Nov 19, 2009 4:39 pm EST

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    @ drshclavin
    Brent Seabrook? Sopel plays w/ Barker
  11. Alex E
    11. Posted by Alex E Thu Nov 19, 2009 6:41 pm EST

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    maybe they can get him a new bucket too...
  12. Ruben
    12. Posted by Ruben Thu Nov 19, 2009 6:53 pm EST

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    I hope Keith is so good he can play both D positions at once, cause I don't know how the Hawks are going to be able to afford anybody else if all these guys sign for even a $5mil/yr cap hit each (which would be robbery for the Hawks as is).
  13. Travis H
    13. Posted by Travis H Thu Nov 19, 2009 7:13 pm EST

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    this whole situation reminds me of the 06-07 sabres.. toews + kane = briere + drury.. to some extent. Keith = Campbell (Not till the next year, but still somewhat relevent..)
    Buffalo couldve kept them all had they resigned them during the season. But chose not too. Ended up losing all 3 (eventually). Chicago knows the only way they have a chance of signing them, is if they do it now. If they wait for the season to be over, all 3 could easily demand 6 mil.
    If they can get all 3.. Unreal.
  14. Rod Brind'Amour
    14. Posted by Rod Brind'Amour Thu Nov 19, 2009 8:01 pm EST

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    @ post 13... And look how it played out for the Sabres... Drury, Briere, and Campbell are not playing up to what would have been expected had the Sabres signed them to long term contracts... Sure down years are expected, but none of the 3 are playing the way they did in Buffalo, and its been 2 seasons now... Chalk 3 up to Darcy Regier.
    Long term deals are nuts ! Ex. NY Islanders / DiPietro deal anyone ???
    Nothing wrong with a good 4-6 yr deal... I would be ticked if the Sabres signed Tyler Myers to a 13 year deal... you never know what can play out down the road.
  15. BleedCubbieBlue
    15. Posted by BleedCubbieBlue Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:40 am EST

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    Signing Kane, Toews and Keith to long tern deals makes sense from a public relations perspective but not from the standpoint of being able to keep many of the less marqee names on this terrific team together. The cap will be flat or slightly reduced next year. That means at least 3 guys have to be moved and replaced with minimum salary rookies. Say goodbye to Eager, Byfuglien and either Sharp or Versteeg (unless Bowman finds some magic dust and is able to move Campbell). If I'm right, this small, fast group will get smaller and faster and lose a lot of toughness. Only Burish will be there to protect the young guns. Gotta find a way to avoid this result.
  16. Pyros
    16. Posted by Pyros Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:40 pm EST

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    One name comes to mind when it comes to Chicago's long term deals Brian Campbell .. XD
  17. El Lobo
    17. Posted by El Lobo Mon Nov 23, 2009 3:37 pm EST

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    You all have good points, but the difference between the Campbell signings as aopposed to Kane Toews and Keith signings is motivation. Campbellsigned for the money, just like that jerk off Hossa. Toewser, Kaner and Keith actually want to be here in the windy city. This isnt the Bill Wirtz era anymore. The players know this town is the place to be for years to come. This deal is gettin done, yous guys will see.... Buya!!!!
  18. Zo
    18. Posted by Zo Mon Nov 23, 2009 3:48 pm EST

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    The hawks will do alright if they sign the "three headed monster." Sopel is prolly going to get delt to free up at least 2 million and Having the Wild pick up Ebbett off waivers helped. I think Big Buff will be playing somewhere else next year as will either Sharp or Versteeg. Seabrook will take a discount due to the fact he respects and loves playing along side Duncan Keith. I could also see Versteeg taking a discount due to the fact he wants to stay with Toews and Kane. Anyway you look at it we need to some how dump Campbell and his horrible contract that would be a huge solution to the cap problem. Go HAWKS!!!!
  19. D White
    19. Posted by D White Sat Nov 28, 2009 1:56 pm EST

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    They got this go Hawks!!
  20. DAVID G
    20. Posted by DAVID G Mon Nov 30, 2009 11:51 am EST

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    Assuming he will still be playing at age 43 like Hossa just sign him for 27 more years to get past the salary cap.

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