Martin Hanzal Trade Rumors: Canadiens, Maple Leafs, Oilers

As the March 1 NHL trade deadline approaches, Martin Hanzal of the Arizona Coyotes is the top center available. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, and the Coyotes are likely to move him for an asset at the deadline rather than get nothing back.

Several teams need a big 6-foot-6, 220 pound center like Hanzal. He is a face-off specialist and a good penalty killer, who fits as a third line center on a playoff team. The 29 year old has tallied 13 goals and 22 points in 45 games this season. He has spent his entire 10 year career with Arizona, which drafted him 17th overall in 2005.

Hanzal says he has not received an offer from the Coyotes.

When I get an offer, I’ll see. I haven’t got an offer yet from the Coyotes. We haven’t talked. 

I’ve been here. I like it here. 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.

According to sources, the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers are inquiring about Martin Hanzal.