Nashville Predators GM: ‘Last chance’ for Mike Ribeiro

By Cory Buck | Jul 16, 2014

Feb 8, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Phoenix Coyotes center Mike Ribeiro (63) watches his team take on the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Coyotes 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

The Nashville Predators are rolling the dice on a couple of talented players cast off by their previous squads. Foremost among them is Mike Ribeiro, who has totaled 656 points in 865 career games in the NHL. He’s a talented center who’s brought points to every club for which he’s played, yet he could only fetch a one-year $1.05 million in a summer when this guy got more money, thanks to off-ice issues that have dogged him and his employer at every stop.

More from Nashville Predators

Ribeiro is on the shortest of leashes after behavioral issues lead to his buyout in Phoenix. Predators GM David Poile made it clear that if Ribeiro wants to resurrect his NHL career, this next year in Nasvhille is his last chance.

“He’s looking for that second opportunity if you will. He’s looking to reestablish both his family and his hockey career.” David Poile said per Dan Rosen at NHL.com. “This clearly is really his last chance.”

Ribeiro was drafted in 1998 by the Montreal Canadiens and played there until he was traded to the Dallas Stars in 2006, where he played until 2012. He played the last two seasons in Washington and Phoenix respectively. Ribeiro’s 47 points last season were his fewest since his second season as a pro. He has topped 60 points five times in his career.

Whatever Ribeiro’s behavioral issues are, this deal is a slam dunk for the offense-starved Predators. It comes with zero risk on a team with plenty of cap space. If this troubled center can behave for a year, the Predators will have one of the best value contracts in the NHL, and a solid weapon in the competitive Western Conference playoff race.

Home/Nashville Predators