Arizona Coyotes Martin Hanzal Leads NHL In Assists

Martin Hanzal is definitely showing everyone that he is back from his back surgery, and playing the kind of hockey we all knew he is capable of playing.

As editor of Howlin’ Hockey, I get to have the privilege to write editorials and voice my opinion. I’ll be the first to remind you that I was very critical of the number of games Martin Hanzal missed over this his ninth NHL season. To be exact, he has missed 129 games out of a possible 629. That comes to a 21 per cent ratio. He missed a small number of games due to suspension, but you get the picture.

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And now, Martin Hanzal is getting deserved attention for his play this new season, with his back surgery a success, and him feeling normal again. A player with his size (6’ 6”, 226) is sorely missed when he’s out of the lineup. He is an expert at digging the puck out of the corners, and providing screens on the opposing goalie. He also is skilled in winning face-offs, with a career 50.2 win ratio.

This season he’s been teamed up mostly with Anthony Duclair and Tobias Rieder. The line has been a success, (21 points between them) but in the last game with the New York Rangers, Head Coach Dave Tippett changed up his lines a bit and replaced Tobias Rieder with Max Domi. Domi plays on the first power play unit with Hanzal and Duclair. Tippett was trying to generate additional offense, but the plan failed as the Arizona Coyotes came out flat again to start the game, and only had 5 shots on Lundqvist to hardly test him in the first period.

Hanzal is having a blast playing with Domi and Duclair, who have pleasantly surprised the Arizona Coyotes coaching staff, management, and fans with their outstanding play. Hanzal figures he can feed either one of these talented forwards, and sit back and watch them work their magic.

The lone goal was netted by Klas Dahlbeck, his first as a Coyote, and was assisted by a great hustle play (which we are getting spoiled watching) by Max Domi, after receiving an outlet pass from Hanzal. It was Hanzal’s league leading ninth assist. He has not scored yet this season, but is satisfied setting up his teammates.

In the last New York Rangers game Hanzal played in his 500^th career game. He does play a physical style, and is assigned to stopping the big opposing forwards like Perry, Getzlaf, and Lucic. It shows in the number of hits he has registered, which is 1200, or 2.4 per game.

With Martin Hanzal back at full strength, it bodes well for the Arizona Coyotes this season

Next: Arizona Coyotes Nick Merkley Update

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