NHL Rumors: Coyotes close to signing Clayton Keller

The Arizona Coyotes are reportedly close to signing 2016 first round pick and top prospect Clayton Keller. 

The 2016-17 NHL season has been one to forget for the Arizona Coyotes. Thought to be a team on the rise in the preseason, only the Colorado Avalanche are preventing them from being at the bottom of the standings. However, the Coyotes’ future remains bright thanks to a number of young players.

Clayton Keller, one of their first round picks from the 2016 NHL Draft, has emerged as one of the early best players from the loaded draft. According to Elliotte Friedman, Arizona is close to signing him to an entry level contract.

Because he can’t burn the first year of his contract, this means Keller will still be under team control for three full seasons. In recent years, older players like Johnny Gaudreau and Brock Boeser have benefitted from qualifying for their next contract after two full seasons. However, due to Keller’s age, his pay day will have to wait an extra year.

On Saturday March 25, Boston University lost in the NCAA hockey tournament. Keller starred from them in his freshman season, notching 21 goals and 24 assists for 45 points in just 31 games. He also starred at the World Juniors, putting up three goals and eight assists for 11 points in seven games. Keller is extremely skilled and should give the Coyotes another young talented forward to build around.

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Arizona is hoping he will stick at center. This would give them a franchise center they can build around. Dylan Strome, the third overall pick of the infamous 2015 NHL Draft, is another option. If both of them pan out, the Coyotes could be set down the middle for the future. Keller could make his NHL debut on Monday against the St. Louis Blues. He could join Boeser in a fairly unique club, making his NHL debut in his home state.