Coyotes sign Keller to 8-year, $57.2M extension
The Arizona Coyotes have signed forward Clayton Keller to an eight-year contract extension, the team announced Wednesday.
The deal carries an average annual value of $7.15 million and includes a no-trade clause that covers the final four years, according to his agent, Scott Bartlett:
Pleased to confirm @ClaytonKeller37’s new deal is an AAV of $7.15M. Deal also contains lockout protection and trade protection during UFA years of the deal, as follows: pic.twitter.com/DI9YwZ2IFw
— Scott Bartlett (@SCGscott) September 4, 2019
Keller is entering the final year of his entry-level contract and was set to hit restricted free agency next summer.
The 21-year-old's new deal is the latest in a string of long-term contracts given by general manager John Chayka. Since the start of last summer, the Coyotes have signed Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Christian Dvorak, Jakob Chychrun, Nick Schmaltz, and Keller to extensions of at least six years before the player hit free agency.
Keller finished as a Calder Trophy finalist in 2017-18, recording 65 points in 82 games. He found less success in his sophomore campaign but still managed to lead the offensively starved Coyotes with 47 points in 82 contests last season.
Arizona's offense is expected to improve in 2019-20 with the addition of two-time Stanley Cup champion Phil Kessel.