Could the Blues turn to a metro-east native in effort to recharge their offense?

Belleville News-Democrat
·2 min read
6

St. Louis Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong has said he is eager to rebuild the roster in short order following a lackluster season in which the team produced its first sub-.500 record in 15 years.

While defense presents the most immediate need with the NHL Draft looming in barely a week, one sharp-shooting forward has emerged prominently through the rumor mill as a potential fit for St. Louis.

And hockey fans in the metro-east know him well.

Clayton Keller, 24, was raised in Swansea, where he attended school at Wolf Branch, before becoming the Arizona Coyotes’ top draft pick in 2016. Days after signing a three-year contract with Arizona, he made his NHL debut in his hometown arena, where he had frequently cheered on the Blues.

Now some NHL observers think he’s a fit to return to Enterprise Center wearing the Blue Note.

“Adding Keller to their roster would not only address the Blues’ need for a young, skilled forward but also inject fresh energy into their offensive game,” sportskeeda.com wrote. “Keller’s ability to create scoring opportunities and contribute to the offensive output would undoubtedly provide a significant boost to the Blues.”

Keller, lost time at the end of the 2021-2022 season to a broken femur. But he rebounded last year with the best season of his young career, setting season highs with 37 goals, 49 assists, and totaling 85 points in 81 games.

Keller, the No. 7 overall pick in 2016 and member of the NHL All-Rookie Team, is under contract in Arizona through the 2027-2028 season.

According to Andy Strickland of Bally Sports Midwest, the Coyotes have no plans to trade Keller, nor do they have any reason to — at $7.15 million per year, he is a relative bargain by today’s salary standards.

But, as sportskeeda.com points out, the Blues possess at least three attractive chips that might turn the Coyotes’ heads – three first-round picks in this year’s draft.

“Armstrong has previously shown a willingness to utilize these picks to improve the team, signaling the Blues’ commitment to a rapid rebuild and their desire to return to contention sooner rather than later,” the sports site wrote.

If he’s really available in a trade, other hockey writers see different destinations for Keller. Bleacherreport.com, for example, says the Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils would be more serious suitors.