As usual, being an Arizona Coyotes fan isn’t much fun! Dead last in the Pacific Division with a mere six points from sixteen games. There is very little to cheer about at Gila River Arena. However, there is one bright spot in the darkness. Although the Derek Stepan trade made headlines, it’s the performances of a rookie that has people talking. Clayton Keller had minimal attention during the first few weeks, but right now he’s carrying this team.
Drafted 7th overall in 2016, Keller was one of the stars of the 2017 World Junior Championships. Shining brightly, he helped lead Team USA to a gold medal. Despite being on the books since last year, the 18-year-old Missouri native remained committed to Boston University throughout 2016-17. After their NCAA tournament exit, he finally signed an entry-level deal with Arizona in March 2017.
So what is all the fuss about? Well, for one thing, Keller has something not many Coyotes players have: a scoring touch. Arizona has a meager 41 goals (2.56 goals/game) this season. Seven of these have come from the stick of this young man. Other bright spark Max Domi might have 8 points- but only one goal. With this franchise drowning yet again, they need an exciting talent to hold onto.
The Coyotes looked to have added some depth in the summer. Derek Stepan arrived from the Rangers along with Antti Raanta. Although this should have given them a shot in the arm, finding the net has again been a problem. Outside of Keller, Anthony Duclair is second highest goal scorer with 3 goals. Stepan has a respectable seven points but has only 2 goals to his name.
Keller is worth the low admission fee to the Coyotes. In a 2016 draft dominated by Matthews/Laine, the Coyotes have found a real undervalued talent. Everyone out there knows this team is on the ropes for another time. Having two wins to your name is a gruesome statistic this far into the year. Last season it was the same story, just repeated, and after the departure of Radim Vrbata– all seemed lost. This talented young center has emerged as a legitimate offensive threat. In their 3-2 loss to Washington last night, Keller was in fine form.
Scoring with a fine deke past Braden Holtby, he gave the Caps blue-line a real workout throughout. Ovi and friends may have prevailed, but Keller is staking his own claim to Rookie of the Year. Arizona has to hope that things get better soon, otherwise this is one talent that might slip through their fingers.