Trade Candidates: Martin Hanzal

With the trade deadline quickly approaching, we will be profiling several players in the weeks ahead that are likely to be dealt by March 1st.

The Arizona Coyotes’ Martin Hanzal represents the epitome of the trade deadline rental. Arizona is a non-playoff team with pending free agents, and a smart GM looking to maximize the team’s value through any means necessary. The only variable in this situation is how much Arizona will receive in exchange for the Czech centerman.

Contract

Hanzal is on the final year of his contract worth $3.1MM a year. He will be an unrestricted free agent at the season’s end.

2016-17

Hanzal has not produced as expected during his contract year. After starting the NHL season with a goal and assist, Hanzal went pointless for the next five games. His streaky plan contributes to his underwhelming stat line this year, and those stats may deflate his value come the trade deadline. Hanzal’s saving grace is that he excels in the faceoff dot, averaging above 50% for the fourth straight season. Hanzal also played for the Czech Republic in the World Cup of Hockey, recording 1G and 1A in three round-robin games.

Season Stats

39 games: 10 goals, 8 assists, 18 points. 48.1 CF%, -15, 18:25 ATOI, 55.1% FOW.

Potential Suitors

Any team looking for a depth forward for an extended playoff run. Hanzal’s cap hit is low enough that most competitive teams can afford to add him without too much worry. The Montreal Canadiens are rumored to be interested in Hanzal, but according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Arizona is asking for prospect Michael McCarron, a 1st round draft pick and a conditional draft pick. The steep asking price may limit the number of suitors, but Arizona’s ask is not entirely unreasonable.

A skilled center is a hot commodity at the trade deadline, and players similar to Hanzal have extracted similar returns. Andrew Ladd returned a prospect (Marko Dano) and a first and third round draft pick. Eric Staal returned a prospect (Aleksi Saarela) and two second round draft picks. Both had similar production and similar ages to Hanzal at the deadline last year.

The Columbus Blue Jackets could be dark-horse suitors. The team may want to capitalize on their surprising success, and it has numerous prospects available for trade. Columbus could dangle one of it’s goalie prospects—something Arizona may need after Louis Domingue’s disappointing season so far.

Likelihood Of A Trade

Very likely. Hanzal is the prototypical trade deadline rental. A pending free agent with a decent contract on a non-playoff team. The question is not if, but when. Expect the Coyotes to hold out until the last minute to guarantee they maximize the return.