5 Trades and Landing Spots for Coyotes Forward Clayton Keller
The Arizona Coyotes' future was cast into uncertainty following their failed bid last month to construct a new arena and entertainment complex in Tempe. They informed season-ticket holders that they would continue playing in Mullett Arena on the campus of Arizona State University while they explore other local arena options.
On May 19, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that the representatives for Clayton Keller met with the Coyotes to discuss the club's future on and off the ice. The 24-year-old winger is coming off a career-high performance of 86 points, tying the Coyotes' single-season points record.
Friedman indicated that Keller's agents didn't request a trade. Nevertheless, the fact they sought clarity on their client's behalf over the Coyotes' direction could concern the team's management. Signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $7.2 million, he's an important foundation piece to their rebuilding process.
Keller enjoyed a strong bounce-back performance after last season was cut short by a broken leg. As a result, he's a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.
If Keller isn't pleased with the Coyotes' plans, he could request a trade. Management could also be sufficiently worried about his representatives' visit that they might consider trade options. The no-trade clause in his contract doesn't kick in until 2024-25, giving them plenty of time to evaluate offers as they did this season before trading Jakob Chychrun to Ottawa.
As a young scorer approaching his playing prime, Keller would draw considerable interest in this summer's NHL trade market. Here's a look at five potential destinations and what the Coyotes might get in return. Feel free to weigh in on this topic in the comments section below.
Anaheim Ducks
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Under general manager Pat Verbeek, the Anaheim Ducks have been rebuilding their roster with young talent. They already have three up-and-coming stars in forwards Trevor Zegras and Mason McTavish and defenseman Jamie Drysdale plus a reliable scoring winger in 25-year-old Troy Terry.
Adding another young scoring forward would be crucial to the Ducks' rebuilding program. Despite the efforts of Zegas, McTavish and Terry, their 2.51 goals-per-game average and their power-play percentage (15.7) were the league's second-worst this season.
Acquiring Clayton Keller would be a big step in the right direction for the Ducks. Skating alongside Zegras and Terry on the top line would provide this club with a powerful scoring punch. They could also put him on McTavish's wing to spread out their scoring, giving them two dangerous lines.
The Ducks carry $39.1 million in salary cap space. While Zegras, Terry and Drysdals are restricted free agents this summer, there should be enough to re-sign them and take on Keller's cap hit. They can draw on their depth in second and third-round picks in the 2023 and 2024 drafts for trade bait as well as prospects like Nathan Gaucher and Tristan Luneau.
Chicago Blackhawks
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General manager Kyle Davidson of the Chicago Blackhawks commenced rebuilding his roster soon after taking over the role in March 2022. Having traded away Patrick Kane at the March 2023 trade deadline and with Jonathan Toews expected to depart as a free agent, Davidson has stripped the roster down to build it up with young talent.
Chicago won the 2023 Draft Lottery, giving them the first-overall pick in this year's draft. They're expected to use it to select top prospect Connor Bedard, a 17-year-old center who is considered a potential elite player by NHL scouts.
Bedard could benefit from having an established young linemate with several years of NHL experience. Clayton Keller would be an excellent fit, providing Chicago with a one-two punch that replaces the Kane-Toews tandem. His youth and contract ensure he'd be with the Blackhawks as they build toward postseason contention over the next four years.
The Blackhawks can easily afford Keller's cap hit with $41.8 million of cap space and 13 active roster players under contract for 2023-24. They also have an extra first-round pick in this year's draft plus six others in the next two rounds to draw on for trade bait. Prospects such as Ryan Greene and Sam Linzel could also interest the Coyotes as part of the return.
New Jersey Devils
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The New Jersey Devils entered this offseason with $34.3 million in salary cap space and 12 active roster players under contract for next season. A big chunk of that cap space is expected to be put toward re-signing restricted free-agent wingers Timo Meier and Jesper Bratt.
Should negotiations with Meier or Bratt go sideways, however, management could be forced to consider other options. That could mean entertaining trade offers for one of those players as well as scouring the trade market for a potential replacement.
In that scenario, the Devils would have to seriously consider Clayton Keller if the Coyotes put him on the trade block. He would fit in well on their top line at left wing along Nico Hischier or the second line with Jack Hughes. His contract also ensures cost certainty, getting an 86-point scorer for much less than what it could cost to re-sign Bratt or Meier.
The Devils traded away their first-round pick in this year's draft, but they might be willing to give up their 2024 first-rounder. They possess considerable depth in their prospect pool to draw on for trade bait. They won't part with defensemen Luke Hughes or Simon Nemec but forward Alexander Holtz and blueliner Seamus Casey could draw the Coyotes' interest.
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Ottawa Senators
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After only one season with the Ottawa Senators, Alex DeBrincat seemed non-committal about signing a long-term contract during his end-of-season interview. The 25-year-old left winger is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights who will cost the Senators $9 million to qualify his rights for 2023-24. He's also a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility.
That's sparked speculation the Senators could trade DeBrincat before or during the 2023 NHL Draft (June 28-29). If they do, they'll need to find another top-six winger quickly. They already have a trade history with the Coyotes after acquiring Jakob Chychrun on March 1. Perhaps they would look into making a deal for Clayton Keller.
Keller would replace DeBrincat on the Senators' second line alongside center Josh Norris and winger Drake Batherson. While not a sniper like DeBrincat, his playmaking skills and ability to play either wing would still make him a terrific addition.
Keller's $7.2 million cap hit is expensive but likely more affordable than re-signing DeBrincat. The Senators lack picks in the first three rounds of this year's draft pick but could part with their 2024 first-rounder if they're getting a player under a long-term contract. They might have to part with a forward like Shane Pinto or Ridley Grieg as part of the return.
Pittsburgh Penguins
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Having fired Ron Hextall as general manager in April, the Pittsburgh Penguins hired former Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas as president of hockey operations. He'll be tasked with finding a suitable general manager to build up the roster depth around aging stars Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang for another run at the Stanley Cup.
Clayton Keller could be a good fit if he's available. Capable of playing either wing, he could slot in alongside Crosby on their first line at right wing or with Malkin at left wing on the second line. He would also make a good insurance policy if left winger Jake Guentzel departs next summer as an unrestricted free agent.
Keller's contract ensures he'd be around for at least the duration of Crosby's and Malkin's contracts. With $20.2 million in cap space and 15 active roster players under contract for 2023-24, they can afford Keller's annual cap hit but might have to shed a salary to ensure sufficient space to fill out the rest of the lineup.
The Penguins wouldn't have much to offer up the Coyotes from their current roster. Prospect defenseman Owen Pickering and goalie Joel Blomqvist might have to be part of the return though it would further deplete their prospect pool. Their first-round pick (14th overall) in this year's draft might be enticing to the Coyotes as part of the deal.
Stats via NHL.com, salary and line combinations via Cap Friendly and prospect info via The Athletic.
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