Eastside's Hockey Elite Collide

Phoenix receives:

C/LW Chris Higgins (65)

New York receives:

LW/C Martin Hanzal (71)

Since sending away guys like Kyle Turris and Jarret Stoll, we've been a little thin up the middle in Phoenix. Chris Higgins will provide faceoff ability and a solid two-way presence at C, provided he stays healthy. Martin Hanzal is a very good checking winger who can play centre in a pinch, but since his swan song 87-point season in 2009-10 he has seen steadily declining production. A change of scenery will likely do him good, and the Phoenix Coyotes wish him the best of luck with his new organization. A pleasure doing business with you, Pat.

Rangers agree -- Prof. Higgins for Marty Hanzal.

Hanzal may not score 87 points during the rest of his career, but he is a solid two-way forward, and he's consistent. Unlike a number of my two-way forwards, he hits too. I think he's one of those players EHM seems to like, better than their attributes suggest. Higgins looks decent on paper, but just never got it going this season. We'll miss his faceoff rating, but he really needed a change to reinvigorate his career.

As usual, good dealing with you, Parker.