Clayton Keller optimistic on Coyotes Future in Arizona

While the Coyotes future in Arizona is still in question, Clayton Keller remains confident about the team's future in the Valley

Clayton Keller is committed to the Arizona Coyotes.

The 24-year-old forward made it clear on Sunday that he loves playing for the Coyotes and feels that hockey should remain in the Valley.

"It's great to be a Coyote," Keller said at the 2023 NHL Awards media day at Bridgestone Arena via NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti. "I love living there and the team we have, so hopefully everything works out. … I just think it's such a great hockey market. Especially if we do get a (new) arena, I think it's going to be one of the best places to play in the League. I do believe that.

"It's just a matter of getting it done and taking another step as a team and moving in the right direction and going from there."

Originally the Coyotes were planning on building a Sports and Entertainment District in Tempe headlined by the team’s new arena but it was rejected in a special election vote on May 16 forcing the Coyotes to remain at the 5,000 seat Mullett Arena.

While the organization's future in Arizona may be in jeopardy, Keller is confident that the Coyotes will be able to find a permanent home in the Valley.

"I'd like to think that it's going in the right direction and the NHL and our ownership is going to do everything they can to get it in the right direction and get a plan set in stone here, and kind of move hockey forward in Arizona," Keller said. "It's hard for me to believe we don't have a rink or the other (plan) didn't get passed, to be honest, but it's onto the next plan."

Having that sort of commitment from Keller is huge for the Coyotes. He just had his best statistical year tallying 37 goals, 49 assists and 86 points.

Keller has the opportunity to be the face of Coyotes hockey for years to come so it's a great sign that he is all in on staying in Arizona. He is also eager to play for a contending team and feels that the Coyotes are trending in the direction.

"Yeah, definitely," Keller said. "Obviously, I want to be a part of a winning team and a team that's taking strides every single year. Ultimately, I think that's what we're trying to do. Time will tell, but that's a step in the right direction."