Arizona Coyotes All-Star Break Grades – Clayton Keller
By Jim Lynch
Clayton Keller has really progressed in the past month. Although he started off the season a bit slow he has really taken some strides as of late. Too bad he did not perform well enough to represent the Coyotes at the all-star game.
Clayton Keller used to be the only savior Coyotes had to look forward to. Of course, the team had Dylan Strome, but Strome did not progress with this team, he did not fit in the system. Luckily the team went out and added Nick Schmaltz instead. Schmaltz complements Keller a great deal on the ice.
I think the hardest part for Clayton Keller was being leaned on to be the guy for the Coyotes. That is a lot for a young 21-year-old hockey player to take on. Although Keller is only 21 he is already playing in his third NHL season, and he should improve on his numbers the second half of the way.
Keller was phenomenal in his rookie season putting up 65 points in all 82 games, he followed that up with just 47 the next season. You might say the pressure got to him, but this season has been nothing like that.
Clayton Keller is experiencing some of the best possession numbers of his career. His Corsi numbers are the highest they have ever been at 51.4 percent, and his ice time is a little more manageable for a young forward.
Arizona has not been the best at developing their younger players. Just look at the slew of players who left Arizona to find success elsewhere Anthony Duclair, Max Domi, and Dylan Strome have all succeeded elsewhere. It might be because of how the Coyotes are throwing their top young guys in a little too early.
Keller is succeeding in a little more laid back role this season. His ice time is down by nearly two minutes, now at 16:33 on average, and his power-play points are towards the highest of his career. While that might not mean much to some, finding success on the power play is something that shows the Coyotes are doing their best to tailor to Keller’s strengths.
Keller has earned a B rating for his play this season. While he has been great recently he did struggle at the beginning of the season, plus he only has 1 assist in the Coyotes last 5 games. The Coyotes are going to need Clayton Keller to step up the rest of the way if they are to make the playoffs.