Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have signed forward Martin Hanzal to a five-year contract extension, according to an official release from the team. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Here is what Maloney had to say regarding the signing:
"We are very pleased to sign Martin to a five-year contract extension," said Maloney. "Martin is a big, strong, skilled center and a core member of our team. He contributes at both ends of the ice and we are confident he will continue to improve to become one of the NHL's best two-way centers."
As for Hanzal, the forward had a breakout season in 2010-11 and is looking to build off a solid year. Last season, the 6-foot-6, 236 pound Hanzal appeared in 61 regular season games for the Coyotes, registering 16-10-26 and 54 penalty minutes (PIM). He established new career highs in goals (16), game-winning goals (5), power play goals (7) and hits (147).
Hanzal appeared in all four games of the Western Conference Quarter-Final against Detroit, recording his first career postseason goal along with two assists and eight PIM. He was the Coyotes' first choice in the first round (17th overall) in the 2005 Entry Draft.
This signing will set the club up nicely for years to come as they prepare to build and get back towards the top of the conference.
Final 23-man roster set:
In addition to the signing, the Coyotes also announced their final 23-man roster. Here it is:
Goaltenders:
Jason LaBarbera
Mike Smith
Defensemen:
Adrian Aucoin
Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Rostislav Klesla
Derek Morris
Michal Rozsival
David Schlemko
Keith Yandle
Forwards:
Paul Bissonnette
Mikkel Boedker
Kyle Chipchura
Shane Doan
Boyd Gordon
Martin Hanzal
Lauri Korpikoski
Daymond Langkow
Petteri Nokelainen
Patrick O'Sullivan
Taylor Pyatt
Raffi Torres
Radim Vrbata
Ray Whitney
Two players assigned to Portland:
Curtis McElhinney (Goaltender)
Nathan Oystrick (Defenseman)
In addition, right wing Brett MacLean was also placed on waivers and claimed by the Winnipeg Jets.