On the Arizona Coyotes …
Craig Morgan: Scouts listed to attend last Saturday’s Coyotes-Penguins game: Nashville Predators, Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, Dallas Stars, Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers, Vegas Golden Knights (2), Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Mike Johnston of Sportnet: The asking price for Martin Hanzal is rumored to be no less than a first round pick, which may be too high for most teams.
Coyotes GM John Chayka was recently scouting the Minnesota Wild.
Former player, agent and GM, Brian Lawton said on Sportsnet 590 that Hanzal could be a player that would help put the Washington Capitals over the top.
Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic: Forward Martin Hanzal isn’t sure if he’ll get moved by the deadline, but his solid play of late will stir up the trade market heading into the March 1st deadline.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said. “It’s not scary but kind of a funky feeling, but it’s part of the business. It’s part of hockey. … I’m trying to stay focused on hockey but obviously when it gets closer and closer, it’s in my head and I’m thinking about it. We’ll see what happens in two weeks.”
The 29-year old is in the final year of his five-year, $15.5 million contract. He has modified no-clause where he can block a trade to seven teams. Hanzal was drafted by the Coyotes in the first round of the 2005 draft.
“I’ve been here. I like it here,” he said. “But the bottom line is I don’t have a contract for next season, and we’re two weeks away from the deadline. So it’s going to happen one way or the other. Obviously, I’ll be happy with whatever happens because this is hockey and if they move me, I’ll probably have a chance to win a Stanley Cup. That’s another upside, right? So we’ll see.”
