Trade rumors regarding Clayton Keller and the Arizona Coyotes continue to circulate as the 24-year-olds future with the team remains uncertain
The number one question for the Arizona Coyotes going into this offseason is the future of Clayton Keller.
According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Keller’s representatives Brian and Scott Bartlett reportedly met with the Coyotes to seek clarity about the future of the franchise. While his representatives did meet with Arizona’s brass, Friedman also added on his 32 Thoughts podcast that Keller has not formally requested a trade.
“This has been uncertain for far too long and now there is a real urgency on our client’s behalf to have clarity,” Scott Bartlett said on the PHNX Coyotes Podcast. “We need to have clarity. Clayton is in the prime of his career. He took a huge step this year. He’s going to take another step next year. He deserves to be in an organization that has stability and that is pursuing the same thing that he is which is excellence.
“That’s the real flashpoint for us,” he added. “That’s the big reason we’re meeting with the Coyotes’ folks here later today. There needs to be some concrete plans. Not hoping plans, not maybe plans. This has to come to a head here shortly and I’m sure that other agents feel the same way for their clients.”
This meeting came just days after the Coyotes’ new Tempe arena plan was rejected. Beyond the 2023-24 season, the team does not have a concrete plan on where they will be playing. Arizona will play next season at the 5,000 seat Mullet Arena as they continue to figure out a future long term home.
Keller sent out a cryptic tweet on May 16 following the Coyotes arena rejection which could be a sign of his frustration toward the organization.
This past season Keller tallied 86 points, 37 goals and 49 assists leading the team in all three categories. At 24-years-old, Keller is only getting better so it's critical that the Coyotes organization ensures that he is happy and content staying with the team.