Arizona Coyotes would see major boost with healthy Martin Hanzal

One potentially influential addition to the Coyotes roster next season won't cost the team any extra money.

Even better, the boost is coming to a position that is severely depleted.

Center Martin Hanzal is roughly six weeks into his rehab program following back surgery and could be strapping on the skates in another month, if his son doesn't pull him on the ice sooner, while continuing his recovery in his native Czech Republic.

"My kid started skating, so I'm going to be skating sometime with him," he said.

Hanzal and the Coyotes are hopeful this latest procedure helps the 6-foot-6 pivot remain in the lineup and if that's the case, the outlook for next season already becomes more optimistic.

"I want to step up a little bit and make sure I'm ready so I can stay healthy for the whole year," the 28-year-old said. "That's my biggest goal, so I'll do everything I can just to get my body ready for next season. I want to play all 82 games."

That's a feat Hanzal has never been able to accomplish in his eight seasons of NHL work.

Actually, his 37 games in 2014-15 — while playing with a herniated disk — are his fewest. His final appearance was Jan. 29 in Toronto (he scored the game-winner), and Hanzal finished the season with eight goals and 24 points.

"It was just getting worse and worse, so I couldn't really take it anymore," he said.

Dr. Robert Watkins, who operated on Hanzal in 2008 to repair a herniated disk, performed the surgery Feb. 17. Nearly two months later, Hanzal is pain-free and without limitations in his off-ice workouts.

That's important progress for the Coyotes, who watched their depth up the middle dwindle after Hanzal was injured and Antoine Vermette was traded.

Realistically, the Coyotes still need one or two more centers. Although it's clear they need someone with first-line potential, Hanzal's reputation as a matchup center who patrols both ends of the rink while handling special-teams duty is unique.

And when he's able to stay on the ice, he has the ability to be the team's most vital forward.

"It's going to come down to him putting the work in," coach Dave Tippett said. "Simple as that. He's done it before, and he's kind of slipped back a little bit. The problem with him is when he gets up and going, he plays so much that he backs off some of that other work and we've got to make sure he's top fitness, top health and then get him to play like a top player."

It's really no wonder Hanzal's name still churned through the rumor mill leading up to this year's trade deadline despite his injury. His role is specialized and a huge asset in a conference where teams are regularly combining size with speed.

"I'm pretty sure some change is going to happen in the summer, too," Hanzal said. "Hopefully I'll be here."

Frustration definitely mounts when a player struggles to stay healthy, but perhaps this was the surgery that will help Hanzal put those injury woes behind him.

It would certainly benefit the Coyotes to find out.

"I love it here," Hanzal said. "I've been here for a while, and I want to stay here. I want to win here."

Domi update

Prospect Max Domi's junior season ended Tuesday, but the Coyotes have decided not to assign Domi to their American Hockey League affiliate. Domi recently took a hit to the head in a playoff game, and the Coyotes have determined rest is more important than playing in Portland.

Reach The Heat Index at sarah.mclellan@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8276. Follow her at twitter.com/azc_mclellan.