The Phoenix Coyotes have finally locked up free-agent center, Martin Hanzal. Hanzal has been re-signed to a two year contract worth $3.6 million. Hanzal is set to receive $1.5 million in his first year and $2.1 million in his second."We are happy to have re-signed Marty and have him in Phoenix for the start of training camp next week," said Phoenix general manager Don Maloney. "He is an important player for us who plays critical minutes against the best opposing forwards."
The 23 year-old Czech Republic native was drafted by the Coyotes 17th overall in 2005. He’s never been known to be an offensive force or to be the most fluid skater on the team, despite still having a very strong offensive upside. Hanzal is great in the faceoff circle, and plays a defensively sound game. Hanzal is typically on the ice against other team’s top lines as he uses his large 6’5 218lbs. frame to his advantage. In his three years with the Coyotes, Hanzal has tallied 30 goals, 69 assists, and a -11 rating.
Last year Hanzal matched his season high in goals, 11, with 33 points and a career best plus/minus of and even zero in 81 games. In seven post-season games Hanzal added 3 assists, and played a big part in keeping Detroit’s big guns off of the score sheet.
Hanzal was the final big contract GM Maloney needed to worry about on the off-season, and the two-year deal frees up some time for him to figure out what he does about the ten expiring contracts following this coming season.
- Kendall Grubbs
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