Sarah McLellan

azcentral sports

DALLAS – Center Martin Hanzal filed onto the ice second-to-last in his usual spot just ahead of captain Shane Doan.

He circled the zone with the puck on his stick, eventually ditching it when he wired a shot on net before turning toward center ice. There, he dropped down to one knee to stretch as his pregame routine ahead of Friday’s meeting with the Stars continued.

Hanzal did all of this in a Coyotes sweater, the only one he’s worn in the NHL for almost the past decade, but his allegiance could be changing soon.

The NHL trade deadline hits 1 p.m. Arizona time Wednesday and with Hanzal saying Friday afternoon he and the Coyotes still haven’t discussed a new contract, it appears likely the pending unrestricted free agent will be traded.

If that possibility becomes reality, Hanzal’s exit would wrap a tenure with the Coyotes that spanned 10 seasons and eclipsed 600 games – a stint that currently ranks him as the third longest-tenured professional athlete in the state behind Doan and Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

And that’s been more than enough time for the 30-year-old to make a memorable impression on the team amid a journey that's certainly been meaningful to Hanzal.

“I’m happy for every single day I’ve played for this organization, and I’m hoping I can stay a little bit longer,” he said. “But the closer we get to the deadline, it looks like I’m going to get moved. We’ll see.”

COYOTES: Arena deal on life support

With the organization since he was drafted 17th overall by the Coyotes in the first round in 2005, Hanzal debuted in 2007-08 on the heels of an 85-point season in juniors with the Red Deer Rebels in the Western Hockey League – a performance that flashed Hanzal’s offensive potential.

In the NHL, though, he emerged as a steady two-way pivot who could win faceoffs and star on the penalty kill.

“Everything seems so much faster and stronger,” said Hanzal, who became an alternate captain in 2011. “Everybody’s more experienced than you are. Obviously, my points weren't as high as they were in junior, so I have to focus more on my defensive game and I think I kind of changed to more of a defensive centerman.”

Fellow Czech Republic native Radim Vrbata had a front-row seat to Hanzal’s development, playing with him for seven of his 10 seasons in Arizona, and he’s certainty witnessed a change over time.

“That first year I remember being really hard on him because not that he was lazy, but I don’t think he understood what it meant to be an NHL player," Vrbata said. "Where he is now, you can see the interest he’s creating, so that just speaks for itself.”

Hanzal built a reputation on being able to match up against the best centers in the league, especially in the Pacific Division where the competition up the middle is meaty yet skilled. But he seemed to have the perfect tool-set to keep up – a 6-foot-6 frame, a rugged style and a hard-nosed approach in front of both nets.

“He’s hard and mean to play against,” Doan said. “I thoroughly enjoy watching him play when he’s really grumpy and going after guys.”

Still, Hanzal knew how to operate in the offensive zone – perhaps more than he received credit for over his career. His 15 goals led the Coyotes entering Friday’s game, one shy of his career-high, and he’s on pace to finish with 22.

He ranks eighth in games-played in franchise history (608) and has the fifth-most points since the team relocated to Arizona from Winnipeg (312) while slotting 14th on the franchise’s all-time list. Hanzal’s 116 goals sit 13th for the franchise, and his game-winner in overtime of Game 1 during the team’s first-round series against the Blackhawks in 2012 is no doubt a highlight.

“That was probably my favorite moment that I’ll never forget,” he said.

The Coyotes’ playoff run was the culmination of a splendid regular-season for Hanzal’s line with Vrbata and former Coyotes player Ray Whitney, as the trio combined for 173 points and had a unique chemistry that Vrbata still remembers fondly.

“That whole season playing with him and Whits, that's probably the most fun we had playing,” Vrbata said.

FREE COYOTES APP: iPhone | Android

Adversity has also been part of the script, with injuries limiting Hanzal’s availability. He underwent back surgery twice and has yet to play a full season with his absences stinging the Coyotes, creating a hole in the lineup that they’ve struggled to fill over the years because his role isn’t the easiest to play even though it’s an effective brand of hockey.

“He’s probably been our most valuable forward for the last probably five years,” Doan said. “He is a competitive guy that’s hard to play against that most teams don’t really like to have to play against, and someone that I think I’d like to have on my team for as long as I’m a player. Just a really big fan of him.”

Off the ice, Arizona has become a second home to Hanzal. It’s where both of his children were born, and his family loves living in the Valley.

And even though his NHL address may change soon, how he feels about the time he’s spent with the Coyotes will stay the same.

“I’ve been grateful for the opportunity I had here, and I enjoy every single game I played here,” Hanzal said. “Whatever happens next few days, I’m still gonna like this place and I’ll still stay positive whatever happens.”

Injury update

The Coyotes recalled goalie Adin Hill on an emergency basis to back up Louis Domingue against the Stars as Mike Smith was unable to dress due to an illness.

Winger Lawson Crouse returned to the lineup after missing the previous six games with a lower-body injury.

Reach the reporter at sarah.mclellan@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8276. Follow her at twitter.com/azc_mclellan.