"The hood of a car parked at a gas station off of Interstate 17 en route to Las Vegas - that's where Coyotes center Martin Hanzal signed a two-year contract a week before he was scheduled to report for training camp. "I knew I was going to sign here," said Hanzal, who was tracked down by a Coyotes employee and handed a contract worth $3.6 million to sign before he cruised off for a weekend vacation. Even though he already was a late signee, Hanzal pegged the process to last even longer than it did. "When I talked to my agent after the season was done, he said, 'It's going to be long,' " Hanzal said. "So I was kind of prepared. He said it could go in the middle of training camp." Locked under restricted free-agency status and with no other NHL general managers pursuing the veteran center via an offer sheet, it was a matter of when, not if, Hanzal would re-sign with the Coyotes. Fortunately for coach Dave Tippett and his staff, Hanzal's signature met paper before the team started training camp, settling at least two spots at center (the other belonging to Vernon Fiddler). "The other two spots are up for grabs," Tippett said. The top contenders for the remaining roster spots range in experience and skill. • Wojtek Wolski: A natural left wing, Wolski has the skill the Coyotes would like to center a top line, but his ability to win faceoffs, distribute the puck and limit turnovers has yet to be determined. • Eric Belanger: A veteran of five NHL teams, Belanger oozes experience, solid two-way play and has chipped in at least 13 goals his past three seasons." http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coy...21/20100921phoenix-coyotes-martin-hanzal.html
