The Truth Behind Potential Blockbuster Trade Between Maple Leafs & Coyotes Revealed

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Tyler Ball
September 11, 2023 (5:20 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have been in the news all offseason long regarding several different story lines.

From the hiring of Brad Treliving and the pursuit of Erik Karlsson to the signings of Tyler Bertuzzi, John Klingberg, and Max Domi. Then of course the Auston Matthews extension and the William Nylander extension talks. Now one offseason trade rumor has been made clearer by a player.

Keller To Toronto?

With the looming free agency of William Nylander trade scenarios have been flying around with him at the center of them. One such trade rumor has been a swap of William Nylander for Clayton Keller. Both players are similar ages and can play a similar role on a contending team.

Up until this point, the connection between the two had just been rumors. Now thanks to a new interview with Clayton Keller himself we have some clarity. Keller spoke on his future in Arizona and the rumors of him going to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Keller Shares His Side Of Trade Rumors

In an interview done with PHNX Sports on their Coyotes podcast Keller brought some clarity to his situation. The host specifically asked him first if he has demanded a trade and second if there is any truth to the William Nylander rumors. Here is his response.

"Have you demanded a trade? Is the Nylander for Keller rumor true? Can we finally put that to rest?"

Keller: "(chuckles) Yeah no that's not true. I'm just focused on myself and the team here and I just love this group of guys and this is where I want to be right now"

This finally dispels the months of rumors linking the two elite players together. While Keller is not looking for a trade it is not impossible that one still comes. Keller is locked into his current contract until 2028. His no-trade clause does not kick in until next year though. This means if a trade involving Keller is to go down it will likely happen sooner rather than later.

For the moment things have cooled on the Clayton Keller to Toronto front. If either team struggles or if William Nylander continues into the season without a contract things could change. Both players involved will need to be watched closely as the year progresses to see if there is a potential trade to be made.