Since being the seventh overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, Arizona Coyotes right wing Clayton Keller has cemented his status into franchise folklore.
The four-time All-Star posted his career-high in goals (37), assists (49) and points (86) in 82 games last season.
Rolling into 2023-24, there were multiple milestones within his reach.
After moving into third all-time in points in Coyotes history almost a month ago, Keller recorded a special assist against the Nashville Predators last night that moved him further up the leaderboards.
Winning a board battle, Jason Zucker shrugged off a Predators defender before sliding the puck to Keller in the corner. From there, Keller spun around and whipped the puck to Dylan Guenther who rifled it off the post and in with 1:29 left in the second period.
With his helper, Keller leapfrogged former captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson for second all-time in points as a Coyote (390). He also moved into eighth in Winnipeg Jets/Coyotes franchise history.
The only man standing in Keller’s way of claiming the top spot in Arizona, ‘Yotes legend Shane Doan has 955 points across 20 seasons. Doan achieved 972 in his 21-year NHL career, beginning during the organizations final season in Winnipeg (1995-96) before the team relocated to The Valley.
Guenther’s goal tied the game 2-2 before Arizona scored two more to lead 4-2 in the third period. That margin would not last however as Nashville came back from behind, winning 5-4 in overtime.
While the road to catching Doan will be a steep hill to climb, Keller can only go up from here, especially as the Coyotes continue fighting for their playoff lives this season onwards into the future.
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