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Coyotes deal Hanzal, White to Wild for more 'assets'
The Minnesota Wild acquired Czech center Martin Hanzal from the Arizona Coyotes in a Sunday trade that includes several draft picks.
Arizona got a 2017 first-round pick, 2018 second-round pick, conditional 2019 fourth-round pick and minor leaguer Grayson Downing from Minnesota for Hanzal, forward Ryan White and a 2017 fourth-round pick. The Coyotes announced the deal Sunday night.
The Wild didn't give up any of their prospects or current roster players, but Arizona continued to build toward its future by stockpiling draft picks. GM John Chayka said he has worked "tirelessly" on a Hanzal deal since Christmas and was glad to get picks in the next three drafts.
"Minnesota clearly stepped up," Chayka said. "Obviously, I can assure you that this was the top price in the market for Martin Hanzal. As it should be because I think it gives the Minnesota Wild the best chance to win a Stanley Cup."
Shane Doan: "It's hard to understand" Coyotes trade of Martin Hanzal and Ryan White to the Wild. pic.twitter.com/CeKoFrRItm
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) February 27, 2017
Hanzal was considered one of the top rental players available and the top rental forward, hence his value being higher than the price the Los Angeles Kings paid for pending free-agent goaltender Ben Bishop in their deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning. White, who turns 29 next month, has seven goals and six assists in 46 games this season, and can also be a free agent this summer.
"They're both unrestricted free agents, so when you come to the point where we're at -- not making the playoffs -- we have to continue to build," Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said on FOX Sports Arizona's game broadcast Sunday night.
Hanzal is the Wild's big prize, and Fletcher said he doesn't feel pressure to make another move. Fletcher wanted to acquire the 6-foot-6 playmaker but also keep him away from competitors in the Western Conference.
Mission accomplished.
"He's an extremely tough player to play against," Minnesota general manager Chuck Fletcher said. "He makes you earn every inch of the ice when you play against him. He's a guy that can contribute offensively. He can win faceoffs. He can play both specialty teams. We thought he was the top rental forward on the market."
Hanzal was so respected that Coyotes captain Shane Doan said on FOX Sports Arizona that "you just don't get it" why he was traded. Chayka said that was an expression of frustration from the veteran winger who could also be dealt to a contender.
"There's been some thoughts towards what would another opportunity look like with the last year -- potential last year -- of his career to take a run at a Stanley Cup," Chayka said about Doan. "I think that's natural for him to have some of those thoughts. He hasn't come to me and said, 'Look I want to pursue other opportunities,' and that's where we're at."
Hanzal has several years left, but the Coyotes decided to move on by giving him a chance to win this year. The Wild have the three-time Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks on their heels in the Central, and Fletcher knew it before making this trade.
