Montreal Canadiens Should Avoid Martin Hanzal

The Montreal Canadiens are in first place in the standings but are also in need of upgrades. Martin Hanzal is in the rumour mill, but is not the right option for the Habs.

The Montreal Canadiens are in first place in the National Hockey League standings. They are clearly a “buyer” at the moment, as far as the trade market is concerned. Even though they are in first place, they have needs, and one of those is at center. One player they should not count on to fill that need is Martin Hanzal.

Hanzal is the perfect candidate to be trade bait as the season goes on. He is a huge center on the league’s last place team. His contract is set to expire at the end of the season, meaning he is an ideal rental player.

Eric Engels of Sportsnet tweeted today that Hanzal of the Arizona Coyotes is on the Habs radar screen. The problem is, Hanzal does not fit the need that the Canadiens currently have at center.

The Canadiens are led by Alex Galchenyuk down the middle. He is hovering around a point-per-game pace and is blossoming into a legit first line center. The Habs have been looking for this type of center for many years, and finally have their undisputed first line middle man.

Habs don’t have many options for centers behind Galchenyuk

Beyond Galchenyuk, there is a pretty big dip, at least offensively, to the next Habs center. Tomas Plekanec would be considered their second best center but his offensive game is abandoning him. In 17 games this season, Plekanec has just one goal and five points.

Plekanec recently turned 34 years old. It would be foolish to expect him to return to his 25 goal and 55-60 point production from years past.

After that, the Canadiens were counting on David Desharnais to bring offence. The diminutive center has been slightly better than Plekanec offensively this season, but not nearly enough to play a second line role.

Want your voice heard? Join the A Winning Habit team!

In 16 games, (Desharnais was a healthy scratch once) the native of Quebec has three goals and six points. Again, not exactly the type of production you would want from your second line center.

Philip Danault has been a pleasant surprise for the Canadiens. In 17 games, the Victoriaville product has scored five goals and nine points in a third and fourth line role. This has been a great boost for the Habs bottom six, but Danault can’t be counted on to play any higher in the lineup than the third line.

Torrey Mitchell is also off to a great start. However, he is on the fourth line and should remain there all season.

This means the Canadiens certainly have a need for a second line center. Galchenyuk can play on the first line and either Plekanec or Danault can center the third trio. Mitchell is a great fourth liner, and Desharnais is, well I don’t think he is an NHL caliber player.

Hanzal doesn’t have the offensive game that the Habs need

So the Canadiens could use a second line center. The problem with Hanzal is, he is no more of a second line center than Plekanec or Danault. If he isn’t an upgrade offensively on the current Habs, there is no need in giving up assets to acquire him.

Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

This season, Hanzal has two goals and four points in ten games. Not very impressive totals, especially when you consider he is the Coyotes most used forward on the power play. He plays most of his even strength time on a line with Max Domi and Radim Vrbata.

Last season, Hanzal was also among the Coyotes most used forwards at even strength and on the power play. He was often on the ice with Anthony Duclair and Tobias Rieder, two young, offensive minded wingers. The 29 year old center scored 41 points in 64 games.

That’s 45 points in his last 74 games. Not bad numbers, especially when you combine he is a great penalty killer, one of the league’s best face-off men and has enviable size at 6’6″. However, that makes him an excellent third line center, but not necessarily a candidate to be a second line pivot.

Hanzal would not come cheap

Hanzal is a good player. The Coyotes will eventually trade him before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Rumour had it on Sportsnet on Saturday night that the Coyotes want a young, NHL ready forward in return for Hanzal.

The Canadiens have a few players that fit that role. Charles Hudon, who was just called up is leading the AHL in goals. The 21 year old forward would certainly be of interest to a rebuilding team like the Coyotes.

However, the Canadiens would be wise not to give up a young forward with a ton of potential for a pending free agent with limited scoring abilities. It’s just too much to gamble on a player who isn’t quite what the Canadiens need.

The Canadiens are off to a great start but they are going to need help if they want to be true Stanley Cup contenders. They could certainly use a true second line center, but Martin Hanzal just isn’t the player they need and he would cost too much to acquire.

Montreal should take a pass on the Coyotes hulking center.