The Arizona Coyotes shocked the NHL by going off the board at 7th overall to select United States National Team Development Program prospect Clayton Keller.
Arizona Coyotes General Manager John Chayka had already proven with the Alex Goligoski deal that he is not risk averse.
If there was any doubt that the Yotes are under a new regime they faded when Chayka selected 17-year-old forward prospect Clayton Keller with the 7th overall pick.
Arizona fans immediately tweeted out their question mark and confused emojis, but the flood of information and “thumbs ups” from around the league quickly quieted much of the worry.
After all, Clayton Keller has all of the skill in the world. He set scoring records with the USNTDP, breaking Patrick Kane’s career scoring record with the program.
The impressive numbers (37 goals and 70 assists for 107 points) were not enough to convince NHL teams and general managers to overlook Keller’s size.
Standing at a mere 5’10 and weighing just 170 pounds, the fear is that Keller is feasting on lesser competition but could be unable to make the step to the next level when most of the top centers are the size of Auston Matthews.
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That doesn’t seem to concern Chayka or Keller, however. “I try to compare my game to Patrick Kane’s. He’s probably the same height as me. I think I can be as good as him one day.”
It’s an easy leap to compare him to that other diminutive hockey dynamo – the reviled but highly skilled Kane – and John Chayka and Head Coach Dave Tippett will hope he can develop at or near the same pace as #88. The confidence that Keller has suggests it won’t be for lack of effort.
Clayton Keller is committed to play hockey next fall at Boston University. The same university that housed Sabres phenom Jack Eichel. If he forgoes BU, he will play for the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL.
It’s hard to put a timetable on when the Arizona Coyotes could see Keller on the ice at Gila River Arena.
Scouts and analysts gushed about the young forward after he was selected. His hockey IQ is said to be off the charts, with an uncanny ability to anticipate and create plays. Keller’s passing and puck handling are as good as you’d expect, and he has an underrated shot.
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Naturally, the kid is going to have to put on some pounds and muscle to prepare himself for professional hockey.
In the meantime, the best thing you can say about the Arizona Coyotes is that they now have to consider which of their many strong center prospects will eventually move to the wing.