Duncan Keith #2, Chicago Blackhawks Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
When the Chicago Blackhawks gave Duncan Keith his current contract back in December of 2009, there was no way to know all the good it would bring the team during the salary cap era.
In December of 2009, the Chicago Blackhawks signed Duncan Keith for 13 years at 5.5 million a season. The contract was worth 72 million dollars and kept Keith in the city of Chicago until 2023.
Every deal comes with a little bit of risk, but for the Blackhawks to sign Keith in 2009 for 13 years gave the team a great deal of security heading into their three championships.