Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty ImagesDuncan Keith's 16-year tenure with the Chicago Blackhawks could be over.Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports that the Blackhawks have been in contact with Keith to help him move to the Pacific Northwest or Western Canada this offseason. Keith is close to his family, including his young son.Keith, 37, is one of the Hawks most valuable players. He helped the Hawks win three Stanley Cups in six seasons and the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2015. The defenseman averaged 24.57 minutes per night and has scored 105 goals and 522 assists in 1,192 regular-season games played with Chicago.Keith was one of seven players to play a part in Chicago's Stanley Cup runs in 2009-10, 2012-13, and 2014-15. He is joined by Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp, Marian Hossa and Niklas Hajlmarsson.Sharp was traded to Dallas Stars following the 2014-15 season. After the 2016-17 season, Hjalmarsson and Sharp were traded to Arizona Coyotes. Hossa had to retire before the 2017-18 season due to a progressive skin condition. SeabrookKeith's long-time partner in defense was forced to retire in March following multiple injuries to his shoulder and hips. Toews was sidelined for the entire 2020-21 season due to what he called "chronic immuno response syndrome." He's currently training to be back on the ice but it's not clear if he will play again.Keith and Kane remain the only Hawks players who contribute on a nightly base. Keith showed his ability to play important minutes last season, averaged 23:25 minutes of ice time.The No. The No. 54 overall Blackhawks pick out of Michigan State in 2002. Keith still has two years on a $72 million 13-year deal. His salary cap is $5.5 million for each of his next two seasons.The news of a possible trade comes at a time when the Blackhawks are under increasing scrutiny for their handling of Bradley Aldrich, former video coach. Two lawsuits are being filed against the franchise for alleged sexual abuse by Aldrich. These include the alleged abuse of two Blackhawks player during the 2009-10 season, and one high school student in Michigan in 2013.
