If Barry Trotz is looking to take a big swing with a trade, Clayton Keller might be a near perfect fit if the Arizona Coyotes would entertain a deal.

The Nashville Predators are fully embracing a reset under new head coach Andrew Brunette and incoming General Manager Barry Trotz. Putting together a team that is faster and more offensively productive is part of that plan. Thirteen picks in next week's NHL draft, promising end of the season performances from Nashville's younger players, and healthy veterans returning to the line up may be a good start. 

"We're trying to build a top nine through the draft, through trades, or we've been trying to do that internally," Trotz said during the press conference introducing head coach Andrew Brunette and painting a picture of the reset with broad strokes.

If Trotz is interested in constructing an offensively minded top nine, he may decide to look outside the current Predators roster to find a piece that could help launch the franchise in the right direction. Perhaps a trade with the Arizona Coyotes for 24 year old Clayton Keller could jump start that process. 

Back in May, Elliotte Friedman mentioned on his 32 Thoughts Podcast that Keller's representation asked to meet with the Coyotes about the direction of the franchise, however Keller did not request a trade then.  The 2016 first round draft pick's hefty contract runs through 2027-2028 with a $ 7.15 million dollar cap hit. Keller is a major part of Arizona's plan for a rebuild, and once again this season he proved why.

Keller is coming off of a 37 goal, 49 assist season that showcased his speed and playmaking abilities. What makes him important for the Coyotes' future also makes him such an intriguing trade target for the Predators.  Trotz and Brunette talk about a fast, offensive game, and Keller is a young player who fits that style perfectly. 

Could the Predators Pry Keller Away from Arizona?

The Predators thirteen draft picks might create an attractive trade package for many NHL teams, but the Coyotes have a nice stockpile of their own going into next week. The same could be said of prospects. Arizona has one of the best prospects in Logan Cooley plus young talents Conor Geekie, Dylan Guenther, and Victor Soderstrom. The Predators have some tempting prospects and draft picks to wheel and deal with, but it would take the best of both to interest Arizona with perhaps a significant roster piece thrown in as well. 

Thinking about a line with Filip Forsberg, Cody Glass, and Clayton Keller skating together in Nashville makes one think it might be worth almost any price to make this dream a reality. Trading Keller - even if it brought the Coyotes a windfall of future talent - would ultimately mean a delayed rebuild, and there may be no trade that tempting for Bill Armstrong.