On the Arizona Coyotes …
Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic: Defenseman Michael Stone is still working to get back into form from his ACL and MCL surgery last April. He signed a one-year, $4 million in the offseason and will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. There doesn’t appear to be a contract extension coming, and he could be traded before the deadline.
“I think everybody would want to stay,” he said. “Whatever happens, happens. This is where I’m at. Whatever happens, it’s going to work out no matter what happens. If I move on to a different situation, then I move on to a different situation. If I stay here, then I stay here. I’m open to all doors.”
Stone said there hasn’t been any communication.
“It’s still pretty early,” he said. “ … And I haven’t played well enough to merit a whole lot of conversation with that, either.”
GM John Chayka said they have had some talks.
“We know where the player’s at,” he said. “It’s kind of just looking at the holistic solution of how do we move this group forward? Is he on this team or is there potential to move him elsewhere?”
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Elliotte Friedman on the NHL Network talking about the Coyotes asking the Canadiens for Michael McCarron, a first round pick and a conditional pick.
“To me, that was just your first offer… don’t undervalue yourself with your first offer. Montreal said no to that. I’m sure they’re going to double back at some other point, and they’re going to talk again.”
Darren Dreger was on the TSN 690 and was asked if the Coyotes asked for a lot for Hanzal because there is over a month left before the trade deadline.
“Exactly. That’s exactly what John Chayka is going,” agreed Dreger. “I presume that Joe Sakic of the Colorado Avalanche has a similar lofty asking price any time Duchene or Landeskog or any one of his coveted players is mentioned in trade dialogue.
“I don’t blame Chayka for asking for what he’s asking for in Martin Hanzal. To acquire a big center – even though he’s a pending unrestricted free agent – is hard to do at any point of the year. It really, truly is. Maybe that asking price changes from team to team, but the Montreal Canadiens are a team that could absolutely use some help and size up the middle of the ice. So Hanzal, in many respects, ticks a lot of boxes.”
It’s likely the Coyotes trade Hanzal. Three-four weeks ago GM John Chayka said it’s possible that they re-sign him.
Chayka could wait till the last minute to move him. The Coyotes aren’t deep enough to let him walk for nothing.
