On the Arizona Coyotes, Martin Hanzal and Michael Stone …
Bob McKenzie on NBCSN: McKenzie was asked what the plan is for the Arizona Coyotes. My NHL Trade Rumors transcription
“Well the plan right now is to get rid the guys that are on expiring contracts, and that means some players that have been what you would call somewhat key players for them over the years – Martin Hanzal and defenseman Michael Stone.
Both of those guys will be dealt by the deadline. It’s not a matter of will they be dealt, it’s a matter of when they’ll be dealt. And right now, those that are talking to Arizona feel like the prices are still too high. Arizona is going to say, “why are we going to trade someone right now when we might be able to bid the price up between now and the deadline.”
But in any case, Martin Hanzal is a big center on an expiring contract. I can easily see him, lot of teams would be interested in that type of player.
Michael Stone is coming off a knee injury, but again, defenseman are hard to come by, and so there will be a market for Stone. And, ah, and maybe Radim Vrbata as well who they signed as a free agent.”
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Elliotte Friedman on 630 CHED talking about the Arizona Coyotes.
Teams have been calling the Coytoes about Martin Hanzal, including teams within their division. The San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings have called, and may be the St. Louis Blues. GM John Chayka is holding with his asking price of a young player that is NHL ready, and preferably a centerman.
“The other thing too we should all remember is so many teams are so close to the cap that it might just necessitate a lot of these deals waiting until the last minute until they happen.”
Friedman thinks the Tampa Bay Lightning are one of the teams interested in pending UFA defenseman Michael Stone.
“Now, I believe Tampa has been one of the teams sniffing around Michael Stone, and I’ve heard that they’ve told people that Arizona’s prices are still high – that they don’t want to pay.
“I look at it like both players are going to be wanted. Both players are definitely available. It’s who goes to pay the high price first.”