Should the Arizona Coyotes consider trading for Noah Hanifin. Hanifin has been linked to the Coyotes by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts Podcast. [https://www.sportsnet.ca/podcasts/32-thoughts/the-leafs-wanted-both-zadorov-and-tanev/] The 26-year-old currently has five goals, eight assists and 13 points in 27 games for the Calgary Flames while he is playing 23:02 minutes per game which just shows his value. It’s unclear if the Flames will be competing for a playoff spot late in the season, but it’s very possible that they may decide to sell at the NHL Trade Deadline which takes place on March 8. The Coyotes would most definitely could use another defenceman. While Sean Durzi has fit in well serving as the team’s number one blueliner, Arizona needs more defensively minded players and Hanifin might be the perfect. André Tourigny spoke following the Coyotes 5-3 loss to the Bruins. Offensively, the Coyotes are pretty deep and their goaltending has been sharp as well but their achilles heel comes at the defensive end. The addition of Hanifin could really help balance out this Coyotes team and propel them into a playoff position so it may be a move they have to consider. However, if Hanifin is to be made available, multiple teams would be interested in his services which would skyrocket his trade value. It may not be worth giving up multiple key future assets if there is a cheaper defenceman on the market later on in the season. A potential Hanifin trade also all depends on what the Coyotes do on the ice over the next month or two. If they are tailing out of a playoff spot, Arizona should hold off on making any sort of drastic trade. On the other hand, if the team is competing to make the postseason, a deal for Hanifin seems more reasonable for them to do. It will be interesting to see what happens regarding this Hanifin situation and it is something to keep an eye out for in the coming months prior to the trade deadline.
