Forward Clayton Keller, 18, will make his NHL debut Monday after the Arizona Coyotes signed the No. 7 pick in the 2016 NHL Draft to an entry-level contract on Sunday. Keller concluded his freshman season with Boston University when it lost to Minnesota Duluth in the West Regional Final at Scheels Arena in Fargo, North Dakota on Saturday. Keller got back to Boston at 4 a.m. Sunday, flew to St. Louis at 6 a.m. and arrived in time for practice Sunday. He grew up in Swansea, Illinois, a 30-minute drive east of St. Louis, and will make his NHL debut against the St. Louis Blues. "It's really cool, the place I grew up watching games," Keller said. "My dad, grandpa taking me to games when I was really young. It's really special to have the first one here. I'm looking forward to it." Forward Christian Fischer has known Keller since they were teammates with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program in 2014-15 and said he would pass along the things he's learned in his six NHL games. "Just keep it simple," he said. "Not too long ago I was playing the first game. There's not too much you can do. A lot of emotions, I know. Your family's going to be here. It's just another sheet of ice." Center Alexander Burmistrov, who's missed 13 straight games and 14 of the past 15 because of a concussion, will return to the lineup. The Coyotes, 1-4-1 in their past six games, finish a five-game road trip.
