The new year forever brings excitement worldwide as families gather to look back on the past year’s memories and others look ahead at what is to come next. While the Arizona Coyotes have had much talk surrounding them throughout this season, we take a peak at 2024, which could be the largest in franchise history. With myriad obstacles and challenges on the horizon, here are three questions whose answers could impact the trajectory and fate of this team’s future.
1. Does Clayton Keller Break Keith Tkachuk’s Point Record?
On March 30th, 2022, the entire hockey world passed for a moment as Clayton Keller crashed into the boards, and uncertainty rose throughout Gila River Arena. The Coyotes’ superstar lay in pain on the ice as the team’s trainer, Dave Zenobi, came onto the ice. Keller was put on a stretcher and was transported to the nearest hospital, where he was diagnosed with a fractured femur. He was having a career year and was on pace to break most of his personal records. That, unfortunately, didn’t happen, and his season came to an early close.
“I had never missed any time,” said Keller. “I’d never not been able to play the game, and then all of a sudden, I couldn’t do the things that I wanted to do. I couldn’t get out of bed. I couldn’t stand up on my own. I couldn’t get dressed. I was so lucky to have my mom [Kelley] there for the majority of the time because the first couple of days were just a lot of pain.”
Fast forward to the 2022-23 campaign, where Keller returned to the lineup with no preseason games to get his legs running; it was uncertain what he would look like on the ice. Well, he returned better than ever and tied the Coyotes franchise points record at 86, which Keith Tkachuk held. It was remarkable, and he was nominated for the Bill Masterton trophy. He didn’t win it, but to be nominated for such an award is something to be proud of.
Now, the question being asked is, can Keller break Tkachuk’s record of 86 this season and his own? Through the early goings, he is on pace for 30 goals and 75 points, 12 shy of what he needs to break the record. While the injury to Barrett Hayton has hurt Keller’s and Nick Schmaltz’s efforts, he still is the Coyotes focal point on offense. He is the player you want on the ice with one minute left on the clock or in the shootout. Keller will likely have his eyes on the record, looking to put his name in the…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at The Hockey Writers…