The Western Conference-leading Minnesota Wild got stronger down the middle, but it came at a steep cost.
Multiple outlets reported Sunday night that the Wild acquired 6-foot-6, 226-pound center Martin Hanzal and 6-foot, 200-pound center Ryan White from the Arizona Coyotes for a haul of draft picks.
The Wild, who also received Arizona's fourth-round pick in this year's draft, sent a first rounder this year, a second rounder next year, a conditional pick in 2019, and minor leaguer Grayson Downing to the Coyotes.
If the Wild win one playoff round this year, the conditional pick becomes a third rounder. If they win two rounds, it becomes a second rounder.
"It's been a good 10 years, but I'm really looking forward to being in the playoffs and stepping on the ice to help Minnesota," Hanzal told The Sports Xchange's Craig Morgan in a phone interview.
ADVERTISEMENT
Hanzal, a pending free agent, said he has been expecting a trade for "the last two weeks" because the sides had not engaged in contract talks since the summer.
Arizona will also retain 50 percent of the prorated remainder of Hanzal's $3.1 million salary for the season.
