Coyotes' Hanzal likely to shut down contract talks, focus on hockey

Martin Hanzal wants to focus on the games at hand.

The Arizona Coyotes center is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, and after being unable to agree on a contract extension prior to opening night, seems ready to shelve talks until the end of 2016-17.

"I’ll just probably shut (negotiations) down from my side and just keep focusing on hockey because it will be a distraction for me," Hanzal said, according to Sarah McLellan of azcentral sports. "I just want to focus on hockey and make sure I can do everything to help the team win."

Hanzal recorded a goal and an assist in Saturday's season-opening win over Philadelphia, and there appears to be mutual interest in terms of keeping him in Arizona.

"We continue to chat with Marty and his representative. I don’t think anything’s imminent right now," general manager John Chayke said at the end of training camp. "Having said that, Marty’s a big part of our team and a good player and he’s made us aware that he’d like to be back here, so just trying to find something that makes sense for everybody."

Hanzal, 29, is in the final season of a five-year deal that carries an average annual valuation of $3.1 million.