The Arizona Coyotes have made a deal. Sending centre Martin Hanzal to the Minnesota Wild. It appears as though the Wild will be sending minor leaguer Grayson Downing and a bevy of draft picks to the Coyotes, including a 2017 first round pick, a 2018 second round pick, and 4th rounder in 2019 that could potentially become a second rounder. The Wild will also get forward Ryan White and a 2017 fourth round draft pick. Arizona will retain 50% of Hanzal’s salary.
https://twitter.com/friedgehnic/status/836006175934119936
Ryan White joining Martin Hanzal to Minnesota from Coyotes. Sounds like draft picks going to AZ
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) February 27, 2017
It's a 2017 first-round pick going from Minny to AZ for Hanzal, 2018 2nd and the conditional pick is 2019.
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) February 27, 2017
Martin Hanzal Traded to Minnesota Wild
With Arizona already out of playoff contention, it was growing more and more likely that they were going to deal centre Martin Hanzal.
The 29-year old is in his final season of a five-year deal and will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. The 10-year NHL veteran has played his entire career with the Coyotes organization.
Hanzal is an intriguing pickup for the Wild. He is a 6’6”, 226-pound centre that can generate offence as well as being defensively reliable. He is also strong in the faceoff circle and can help keep star players in check. The Czech forward has never scored more than 16 goals, but does not need to score points to be an effective NHL player. In 51 games this season, Hanzal has added 26 points to the Coyotes, scoring 10 goals and chipping in with 16 assists.
It has been five years since he last saw postseason action, but he is one of the best rental options this season and will be seen to help the Wild finish strong down the stretch and into the playoffs. Look for Hanzal to be a top-nine forward that will be looked upon to generate offence, and in the playoffs he will matched up against some of the opposing teams best players.
Ryan White has seven goals and six assists for 13 points in 46 games with the Coyotes this season.
Grayson Downing, 24, has seven goals and 21 points in 46 games with the AHL’s Iowa Wild this year.
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