Duncan Keith spent the first 16 seasons of his NHL career and won three Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks.
So it’s no surprise the future Hall of Fame defenseman acknowledged he’ll feel weird sharing the ice with his former teammates Saturday when his Edmonton Oilers play host to the Hawks at Rogers Place (9 p.m., NBCSCH).
His 8-year-old son, Colton, however, seems to have no such qualms about switching from red and black to orange and navy blue.
“I’m sure he misses (Patrick) Kane and (Jonathan) Toews, too, but he’s taken a liking to the guys here — wears his (Leon) Draisaitl jersey and (Connor) McDavid jersey around quite a bit,” said Keith, who added that Colton hangs out at the rink with the players. “I don’t think he’s taken off his Oilers hoodie back in Penticton (British Columbia) since he left a couple weeks ago.
“So he’s an Oiler fan.”
This will be Keith’s first game against the team that selected him with the 54th pick in the 2002 NHL draft. He is second to Stan Mikita on the Hawks’ all-time games-played list with 1,192.
“Put that jersey on for a long time,” Keith said. “Got a lot of friends on that team, but it’s going to be a fun game. It’s going to be different for sure.
“But I’m excited. … It’ll be a new experience playing an old team, old players I’ve played with. But it’s another game in the schedule where another two points are on the line.
“It’s a big game and they’re playing well.”
Indeed, the Hawks have won a season-high four straight entering Game 2 of a four-game trip.
Plan on seeing plenty of Keith on Saturday too.
It’s fitting that the Hawks’ longtime ironman of ice time likely will see an increase in his minutes for this game with Darnell Nurse having suffered a broken finger Thursday in a game against the Winnipeg Jets.
“He’s going to get a little more time now with Nursey out, and it’s not something he hasn’t done before,” Oilers coach Dave Tippet said of Keith. Keith said he’s ready if called upon.
He averaged 23 minutes, 25 seconds for the Hawks last season and never dropped below 23 minutes in his career. He is averaging 20:16 in 16 games with the Oilers but played a season-high 26:49 against the Jets.
Asked if he thought he could handle the extra work, Keith said, “Yeah, I do. … It’s obviously a little bit more but it is what it is. Just take what I’m given and try to do the best I can with it.
“I feel good and feel ready for it.”
Reduced ice time has been an adjustment for Keith, but while he has been adapting to a new role and new surroundings, his teammates have adopted him.
“It’s been a unique situation for me but it’s also been a good challenge and a lot of fun,” Keith said. “We’ve got a great group here. Guys have been great, welcoming.”
Said Oilers defenseman Tyson Barrie: “Duncs has been amazing. His leadership, guys in the room, we love him in there. He’s a calming presence.
“To get a chance to play with him and be in the room with him and see how he conducts himself, it’s been eye-opening.”
Tippett called Keith a solid veteran and said “he’s very respectful of the change in situation. He’s come in and he’s tried to learn how we’re doing things.”
The coach said Keith has been trying to tweak some aspects of his game — he has had 15 giveaways — but for the most part Tippett has been able to count on him defensively.
“He’s always trying to find things he could do a little better, but if you look at the minutes he’s taken — him and (Cody) Ceci, that middle pair — they’ve been a key factor for us in getting off to a good start here,” Tippett said.
Added Keith: “I think me and Ceci have grown a lot as the season has gone on, together on the ice with the chemistry. It’s not to say we haven’t made mistakes, but overall we’ve just got to keep building and trying to get better.”
Keith also has seen slightly more offensive production — one goal and four assists in 16 games — and wants it known that he and Ceci earned that assist they were credited for on McDavid’s latest highlight-reel goal.
When asked if McDavid did most of the work dangling on Jets defenders, Keith shot back: “Timing is everything, too, right? Don’t take too much credit away from that regroup (in the defensive zone). I thought we gave him some speed in the neutral zone.
“He had some room to skate — think about it,” Keith deadpanned.
It’s that kind of sharp wit to which Hawks fans had become accustomed, but Keith was willing to leave them behind for the sake of his family.
In July, the Hawks traded Keith and prospect Tim Söderlund to the Oilers — acquiring defenseman Caleb Jones and a conditional 2022 third-round pick in return — in part so Keith could be closer to Colton in Penticton. His son has visited him several times.
“I saw him in Vancouver, so it’s just quick, easy trips for him,” Keith said. “I’ve been able to see him more frequently, which has been really nice, and other family members as well.
Even though Edmonton, Alberta, is still a 101/2-hour drive from Penticton — or a 90-minute flight from nearby Kelowna airport — Keith said the shorter distance makes a difference.
“He’s getting older now, he’s 8, so he’s got his own hockey and his school, so he’s got a lot going on himself,” Keith said. “We’re making it work and it’s been good. I think he’s enjoying it too.”
He’s also watching his son’s games, though only on video for now. But Colton is not walking the blue line like dad does.
“He’s a forward right now,” Keith said. “We’re developing his offense.
“He can always go back on the point.”
