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The Kinder, Gentler Version
6. Clayton Keller, Coyotes:
One source pointed at a possible Keller trade as a way for the Coyotes to get back some of the draft picks they’ve lost via trade and league punishment. He has a no-trade clause that kicks in after the 2023-24 season, so there’s a window to move him. He also has an actual salary that increases as his deal matures. “This is a team with no picks,” pointed out the source. “(Keller is) the kind of player another team might be willing to take even with that salary because they see the high-end, first-round pick.” If you’re a team with financial flexibility looking for scoring, this is an intriguing option.
I am not so sure I agree with Craig Custance, here. I don't necessarily believe that Clayton Keller is available. He is only 22 years old, and is currently tied with Nick Schmaltz for 5th in team scoring. Each player has 6g 8a 14p in 21gp.
While a 0.67ppg average is certainly underperforming for a player with a long-term $7.15aav contract, he does play for the Coyotes. Points are hard to come by on that team (they have the 5th worst goals per game in the NHL). Also, again, he's only 22 years old.
Having said that, he does have the 2nd largest contract on his team, his trade protection hasn't kicked in yet (they were recently burned by this in trying to trade OEL) and the Coyotes clearly need a change. They have a .500 P% this season, which isn't awful. But they're combined P% under Rick Tocchet over the last four seasons (this season and last season being only partial seasons) is .492.
The point is that there has been a ton of turmoil and a ton of turnover in the desert the last four years, but the results are stagnant. They just seem stuck with averaging around one point per game, which is a terrible place to be.
So while I don't think Keller is really available, I do think that his being listed as one of the top trade Targets by the Athletic is at least worth discussing. Given that his current GM didn't draft him, didn't give him that contract, and has a roster that's not getting results.
So what would HFBoarders offer for Clayton Keller?