Though his team is forced to play in an arena that seats about 4,600 and can’t anticipate an amphitheater construction project, Coyotes forward Clayton Keller is adamant that Arizona has all the resources necessary for hockey to thrive.
The 24-year-old player, who was interviewed by NHL.com at the end of the week, is happy with his experience in the desert. Although Tempe’s people voted against building the club’s future home ground in a recent referendum, he believes the best is yet to come.
Also read: Joël Bouchard is happy about his return to the American League
Also read: Pekka Rinne back with the Predators
Also read: A Vézina trophy and a transaction in the same summer for this goalkeeper?
“It’s great to be a coyote,” Keller said Sunday. I love living there and I love the team we have. Hopefully everything works. […] It’s such a cheap hockey game. I think it will be one of the best venues in the league, especially when we have a new arena. I really think so. We just have to take another step as a team and take a step in the right direction.”
As a nominee for the Bill Masterton trophy, which is awarded to the National League hockey player who has excelled most in determination, the winger wanted to reassure the formation’s supporters but admitted his agents were at odds with the leaders the Coyotes met Discuss the future of the dealership.
“When it happened, there were very few things set in stone. On the other hand, I think that sooner rather than later we will better understand the situation regarding the new arena and these types of problems,” explained the man who has a valid contract until the end of the 2027 season, which gives him $7.15 million annually brings in.
The seventh overall pick in the 2016 draft had 37 goals and 49 assists for 86 points in 82 games last season.