The long wait is finally over as Phoenix Coyotes fans everywhere were relieved to hear that center Martin Hanzal has signed a two year deal with the team. There were rumors about things not going well in negotiations and the possibility of him signing in the KHL even, but those worries were all for naught as the parties agreed to a 3.6 million dollar deal. In terms of cap hit Hanzal will cost 1.8 a year, but the team front loaded the contract reportedly so as to have the new owners pay more of the deal.
Hanzal hasn't been an offensive force for the team, though he has a monster shot, his main role has been shutting down every other top line in the league. The guy is a beast of a defensive forward and it's a shame they couldn't have locked him up longer. Once this financial mess with the team gets figured out they'll hopefully find a way to work out an extension or something because he's going to be Selke award worth in the years to come.
Stats:
YEAR
TEAM
GP
G
A
P
+/-
PIM
PPG
SHG
GWG
GTG
SOG
2007
Coyotes
72
8
27
35
-7
28
1
1
3
0
111
2008
Coyotes
74
11
20
31
-4
40
0
2
2
0
97
2009
Coyotes
81
11
22
33
0
104
2
0
0
0
147