Arizona Coyotes general manager John Chayka confirmed that the Yotes have requested a trade list from veteran center Martin Hanzal.
Has Martin Hanzal played his last game in an Arizona Coyotes uniform?
Not necessarily says new general manager John Chayka, while also conceding that the club did approach Hanzal for a trade destination list should the move be made.
Elliotte Friedman reported earlier this month that the Coyotes had requested the trade list from Hanzal in case they were unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension.
John Chayka told Arizona Sports’ Craig Morgan that this was just going to be standard operating procedure for the team in negotiations moving forward.
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“I don’t want it to be seen as a leverage point or a bargaining chip. It’s just to say, ‘let’s get it out in the open so we all know our options’.”
Hanzal is, for better or worse, a huge part of the Arizona Coyotes offense. It’s night and day when he’s in the lineup versus the games when he’s not. As the team has found over the years, however, Hanzal spends a little more time out of the lineup than they’d like.
The Czech forward has never played a full 82-game season. He skated in 81 games in 2009-10 and since that time has appeared in no more than 65 games in any given season.
Given his injury woes and the fact that he is rapidly approaching thirty years old, it would not be incredibly surprising if Chayka moved on from Hanzal in a bid to acquire another piece to secure the team’s not too distant future.
Hanzal would be a very valuable trade chip for the Yotes on and around draft day if he is indeed moved.
The void in the lineup would be notable, however. Hanzal is the only veteran center on the team that keeps the offense moving, particularly considering the fact that Antoine Vermette is in decline.
Alternatively, his trade would open the door for the increased potential of both of the Arizona Coyotes prized center prospects making the roster. Dylan Strome and Christian Dvorak appear to be NHL ready, but common sense tells us that unless other moves are made there is not room for both on the NHL roster this fall.
Not at center, at least.
Moving Martin Hanzal would create that opportunity, but at the cost of icing a lineup that would be possibly more unseasoned than the one we saw in 2015-16. Such a trade would likely put a serious damper on the Coyotes playoff hopes – Strome or Dvorak breakout seasons notwithstanding.
That would also be intriguing because it would be moving in a direction that is in opposition of what Chayka implies Shane Doan is looking for in returning next season.
Trading Marty Hanzal isn’t fraught with peril. He has just one year left on his deal, he’s injury prone, and he’s just shy of thirty. There’s also a strong center prospect pool behind him.
Nonetheless, it will most likely result in a short term loss for a long term gain.
This is a rebuild. The Arizona Coyotes are not winning the Stanley Cup in 2016-17.
Next: Coyotes 2015-16 Player Grades: Mike Smith
If moving Hanzal and a lesser prospect or other piece results in some much needed top four defensive help, or another piece that adds value for two or three years down the line…
…well, that’s a gamble I’d be willing to take.