Arizona Coyotes 2015-16 Player Grades: Martin Hanzal
With the Arizona Coyotes 2015-16 season complete, it’s time to dive into each player’s performance and make a final tally on how they fared in the 2015-16 season.
There are two different versions of the Arizona Coyotes.
The team with Martin Hanzal in the lineup, and then the shell of a team that exists without him in the lineup.
B. . C. Arizona Coyotes. MARTIN HANZAL
Martin Hanzal played in 64 games for the Yotes last season, putting up 41 points and performing admirably defensively.
He was one of the catalysts for the early season success of Max Domi and Anthony Duclair. At 6’6″, his physical presence is invaluable.
In a perfect world, Martin Hanzal would be an extremely capable second line center for the Arizona Coyotes. The team’s recent rosters have not allowed that, however the impending arrival of Dylan Strome and Christian Dvorak should help take the load off of Hanzal offensively.
When healthy, Head Coach Dave Tippett’s lineup becomes much more sound with #11 anchoring a line.
Unfortunately, he’s often injured. Such is the curse of the Czech native.
Hanzal has spent nine seasons in the NHL and has played more than 80 games in just one of those. When he’s in the lineup he’s an impact player on both ends of the ice. If Marty is absent, however, things get a little dicey.
Hanzal’s frequent absences are reminiscent of Dwyane Wade. Wade’s peak and skill set in his sport was much higher than Hanzal’s, but their durability issues are similar.
Like Hanzal, Wade can only be expected to play in two-thirds to three-fourths of his team’s games in a season. Neither player seems able to keep their parts in motion without a checkup at some point.
Marty has one year left on a five-year, $15.5M deal he signed prior to the 2012-13 season.
At the age of 29, it’s put up or shut up time for Hanzal. He needs to aim for a strong, healthy season in order to secure that next big payday.
His future with the Arizona Coyotes is in question beyond this season due to his age and the strong center prospects in the pipeline.
If the team falls out of the playoff race prior to the trade deadline in February, I expect to see Hanzal departing to a contender.
Next: Coyotes 2015-16 Player Grades: Connor Murphy
If the Arizona Coyotes’ offseason moves work out, however, Hanzal could be a huge piece in the team’s playoff push.
Provided he is healthy, that is.