Keller talks NHL All-Star game, Coyotes rebuild in Q&A with NHL.com

NHL.com's Q&A feature called "Sitting Down with…" runs each Sunday. We talk to key figures in the game, gaining insight into their lives on and off the ice.
This edition features Arizona Coyotes forward Clayton Keller.

Clayton Keller is 23 years old, in his sixth NHL season with the Arizona Coyotes, is an alternate captain, their leading scorer and ready to be their lone representative at 2022 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas from Feb. 4-5.
The forward has scored 35 points (16 goals, 19 assists) in 43 games and has grown from being a wide-eyed teenager when he broke into the NHL in 2017 to a crafty, albeit still young, veteran leader, playmaker and two-time All-Star (also 2019).
Keller also could be in line to be the next captain of the Coyotes.
"Let's not go there yet," Keller said. "I mean, I'm an assistant this year and I like my role as an assistant. I think I can be successful that way. Lead by example. Be a good practice player. Be vocal during the games as much as I can. I think I've done a good job of that this year."
Keller has bought into the Coyotes rebuild. He is in the second season of an eight-year contract that runs through the 2027-28 season.
The Coyotes' struggles this season (they are in last place in the Central Division) have not dissuaded Keller in his belief that the future in Arizona can be bright if the rebuild goes as planned.
He talked with NHL.com about that and more, including his season, childhood dreams, All-Star Game memories, favorite players and more.
Your season has been pretty good so far. The team is struggling, but what is working for you this season and why?
"I think the coaching staff has done a great job this year of implementing a new style of play and I thought I've gelled in really well with that. They've done everything to help me out. I thought I did a lot of good things in the summer to prepare me for this season. I think I'm shooting the puck a lot more this year, and when I do that good things happen. But mentally I feel just a lot better. I think you get that with experience, with this being my [sixth] year in the League. You just learn things and I feel just so much better mentally. When something bad happens I'm still positive, I'm still confident and I think that's been helping me."

You said the coaching staff implemented a new style of play. It's a new staff led by coach Andre Tourigny. How would you describe the style of play and why does it fit you?
"All teams play similar. Everyone wants to play fast. We want to play fast. We want to hold onto pucks, be a tough team to play against in terms of defending. In the offensive zone we're trying to move as much as we can, high rolls with the [defensemen], things like that. I like it a lot. The coaching staff has really trusted me a lot and I try to do everything I can to have their back on it too."
What does it mean to you to be picked to play in the All-Star Game again?
"It's awesome. I think every guy that plays in the League wants to be a part of that game. It's such a special experience and it's definitely something I don't take for granted. Ever since I was little that's something I wanted to be at, and for it to happen is pretty special."
Do you remember All-Star Games and All-Star Skills Competitions you used to watch when you were a kid? Do any stand out?
" I always loved watching [Alex] Ovechkin, [Zdeno] Chara and Shea Weber in the hardest shot. I also loved the breakaway stuff, seeing guys doing stuff that they don't normally do in a game. That was always fun."
Let's talk rebuild. How can you describe what it's like going through this right now?
"It stinks not winning. Every player that plays this game wants to win. But you have to think of the bright side, focus on today and how you can become a better player and how we can create a winning culture here with what we have right now and prepare for the next couple years down the road when we do have a year that's not in a rebuild. You focus on the things you can do and not worry about the outside noise."
You bought into this and signed long term so obviously you have to believe in it. Do you still believe that one day it'll all pan out?
"Definitely. That's what we all want. We want it to work here. We want to be successful. We want to be a playoff team every single year. This is the start of it. Like I said, it stinks going through a rebuild, but all we can focus on is today and go from there."
When do you think that switch flipped for you to go from the young guy who was playing and following along to being a leader and maybe not so much the young guy anymore even though you're 23?
"I think it comes with experience and past players that I've played with and their leadership qualities and how they rubbed off on me. I think them saying something a few years ago matters now. It's not always right away. A lot of people say it takes time to really take it all in and use it and I'm thankful for that as well from those guys."
The St. Louis Blues won the Stanley Cup in 2019. You're from that area (Chesterfield, Missouri). Did that have an impact on you at all?
"Yeah, I thought it was really cool. It's the team I grew up watching. My dad had season tickets and I'd go to almost every game that I could, even when they weren't good. It was cool for the city and everyone involved. My cousin used to be one of the equipment managers there. The game has grown there so much because of that and it's so cool to see how many kids in St. Louis are playing hockey now."
Do you still have an affinity for the Blues?
"Any time I'm in that building it has a special feeling. It's my hometown. It's where I grew up going to games with my dad and grandpa. There's just such a cool feeling being there. It's awesome."
Do you recall a welcome to the NHL moment for you?
"Probably my first game (March 27, 2017), just because it was such a quick turnaround from college. Playing in St. Louis my first game, lining up next to [Vladimir] Tarasenko, who I loved to watch play. It was just super cool during the national anthem, knowing I had family and friends there."
What was that like lining up next to Tarasenko?
"He kind of gave me a little nudge because my cousin was good friends with him. He told him I was playing and he said congrats to me. It was fun. I tried to enjoy it and soak it all in. It doesn't happen like that for everyone else."

You grew up in Missouri and went to college at Boston University. Now you're living in Arizona. Culture shock? What do you do in the desert?
"Arizona is awesome. Me and my family used to go on vacations there when we were younger for me and my brother's birthdays. I love it there. It's a great city. People are laid back. The weather is awesome. A lot of great golf courses as well. It's definitely a great place to live. I love it."
Who was your favorite player growing up?
"Two, really. Sidney Crosby and Patrick Kane."
Kane I can see based on how you play. Did you try to model your game after him?
"I think every player says they try to model after certain guys and he was just someone that I loved to watch. I was smaller back then and I didn't really grow a whole lot until I was 15, 16, 17. I just loved watching his game, his confidence with the puck, his hockey IQ. He was who I wanted to be."
Do you still watch players like that even though you're a player who people are watching now?
"Yeah, I like to watch guys that I think I play similar to, guys that are having good years or good lines in the League. I definitely watch Kane, [Artemi] Panarin, all the guys that are fun to watch and try to learn anything I can off them. It's super fun to watch those guys."