Martin Hanzal Heads North to Minnesota
Multiple reports are indicating that the Arizona Coyotes are dealing impending UFA Martin Hanzal to the Minnesota Wild, along with forward Ryan White, for a 2017 first round pick, 2018 second round pick, and an additional 2019 conditional draft pick.
Hanzal, 30, is on track to having a career year. He has scored 16 goals in 51 games, which ties a career high. As aforementioned, Hanzal is a UFA after this season. The Coyotes are in a rebuild stage, so it surprises no one that they were looking to trade him. Hanzal brings a power play presence and is a good penalty killer. He has good hands and has a mild scoring touch. He also brings a leadership ability to a team that can be valuable to a contender like Minnesota.
White, 28, is more of a depth move. He has 58 career points in 294 career games between Montreal, Philadelphia, and Arizona.
The first-place Wild are now going for it with everything they have. This is a team with a deep center position, thanks to bounce back years from Eric Staal and Mikko Koivu. They now acquire two centermen who will only add quality depth. Hanzal brings the ability to elevate Koivu’s play and pad his point totals with the playmakers he has available.
Photo Credit: USATSI
