With the trade deadline looming, Arizona Coyotes centerman Martin Hanzal is giving himself the best possible chance at a happy ending.
Whether that ending consists of an extension with the Coyotes or a favorable change of address on March 1 remains to be seen. But after racking up five goals in his past five games, it's clear the veteran is intent on keeping his value high.
And he's well aware of his timing.
"Just playing for my future," Hanzal told Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports on Saturday night.
With that evening's tally against the San Jose Sharks, Hanzal's season totals stand at 15 goals and 24 points. He's just one off his career-high mark of 16 goals, with his current total tying his highest marks in half a decade.
Add in his 6-foot-6, 226-pound frame and his proficiency in the faceoff circle, and it's fair to assume the 29-year-old will have plenty of suitors heading up to the deadline.
That's excellent news for Hanzal, as his current club hasn't given any indication as to whether it wants to keep him on.
"I haven't got an offer yet from the Coyotes," Hanzal told azcentral sports' Sarah McLellan last week. "We haven't talked. ... Obviously, we're getting closer and closer (to the trade deadline). So it's going to be interesting, and I don't know if they want to move me or not.
"I have no expectations. I'll focus on the hockey games and see what happens."
That approach has worked out well for the veteran thus far, his recent five-game stretch undoubtedly ranking as his best of 2016-17.
Hanzal carries a $3.1-million cap hit on a deal set to expire at the end of this season. His contract affords him the opportunity to provide general manager John Chayka with a list of seven teams he'd prefer not to join via trade.
