The trade:
So with @TSNBobMcKenzie's additions, it's:
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) February 27, 2017
Minny gets: Martin Hanzal, Ryan White, 2017 4th
AZ gets: 2017 1st, 2018 2nd, 2019 conditional
Our thoughts:
Todd Cordell
Martin Hanzal is a solid player. He'll chip in offensively when he can and he is very good defensively. Hanzal's addition will absolutely help the Wild and allows them to run out three lines of top-6 forwards (their 3rd line features Parise, Hanzal, and Pominville, which is pretty remarkable).
In saying all that, I think the Wild paid too much. I know this draft class isn't as strong as what we've seen over the last couple years. That doesn't mean there aren't good players in this draft, though. Like every year, there will be some stars drafted late in the 1st round and beyond. Giving up a 1st, a 2nd in a solid 2018 crop, and a conditional pick that could be as high as a 2nd for a couple months of Hanzal seems like a lot to me.
Peter Tessier The Hanzal trade to Minnesota was not so much a high payment as it was a departure from a passive approach by the organization for the most part of it's history. (Parise and Suter contracts aside). The Wild have gone 'all-in' but did so with a good but somewhat interesting move. Interesting because they paid a lot but also because the return to Phoenix increases with the Wild's success in the playoffs.
It's a nice insurance policy and gives both parties something good in the deal if it works out. I'm not sure that Hanzal is going to be the huge difference maker should the Wild go far but he won't hurt them either. It will be interesting to see if other GMs use this style of deal in the future on this trade deadline.
James Tanner: The Hanzal trade is great for the Coyotes - mostly because it forces their coach to play his young players. The picks are also nice, and getting rid of Ryan White means that everybody wins. Except, Minnesota. Who knows what they're thinking?
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