Arizona Coyotes Martin Hanzal Making Killer D’s Go

By Chris Reid | Oct 23, 2015

Martin Hanzal is off to a stellar start as the lynchpin to the ‘Killer D’s’ Max Domi, Anthony Duclair, and Tobias Rieder

Hanzal, who in his ninth year and hails from the Czech Republic, is leading the NHL with nine assists, while helping to keep the kids fed. Domi has chipped in with three goals and five assists, while Duclair has contributed five goals and two assists.

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While Hanzal has been lining up along with Rieder and Duclair, recently Head Coach Dave Tippettt changed Rieder for Domi, which makes an explosive line, since those three are leading the team in scoring. Hanzal seems to be having fun playing along the wingers who have set the NHL on fire with their play through seven games thus far.

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The chemistry that Duclair and Domi have brought to the Coyotes is self-evident with their seemingly telepathic type of play. Rieder, from Germany, is also off to a good start of three goals and two assists. But, Hanzal is making it work in terms of the youngsters transition to the NHL. No one, not even the Arizona Coyotes brass, expected such a quick start for the kids.

Martin Hanzal has always loomed large in the plans of the Arizona Coyotes. At 6’ 6” and 226 pounds and gifted with soft hands and good instincts, Hanzal has been the prototypical big center most teams in the NHL crave.

Hanzal’s issues have never been lack of talent, but lack of good health. The big guy only played in 141 out of a possible 246 games in the prior three seasons. It is imperative that Martin Hanzal stays healthy. If not, there could be more roster moves.

Arizona Head Coach Dave Tippett feels that Hanzal’s success comes from doing the little things. Tippett mentioned to azcentral.com’s Sarah McClellan that

"“His assists are coming more from doing good work in the defensive zone and supporting in the middle and things like that.”"

In order to stave off any other issues with his back, which required him to miss half of last season, Hanzal is taking the extra precautions of proper stretching, warm-up, and cooling down after a game. The health of his back is linked to the health of the Arizona Coyotes. Hopefully he can continue to carry the team on his back for the rest of the year.

Next: Arizona Coyotes HC Dave Tippett Changing Up Lines

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