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NHL Rumors: Radim Vrbata narrows choices to four teams

By Dave Stevenson

Jan 23, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Vancouver Canucks right wing Radim Vrbata (17) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Vancouver Canucks right wing Radim Vrbata (17) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to his agent Rich Evans, free agent forward Radim Vrbata has narrowed his choices down to four teams.

After a very rough contract year with the Vancouver Canucks in 2015-16, forward Radim Vrbata has not signed with a team. He is, however, still getting some interest from NHL teams. According to his agent, Vrbata has been discussing a contract with four teams and he hopes to sign sooner rather than later.

Vrbata’s 2015-16 struggles were not expected. He had one of his best seasons as a pro in 2014-15 with 31 goals and 63 points. Vrbata thrived while playing alongside Daniel and Henrik Sedin, but his point total was cut by more than a half in 2015-16. Vrbata ended the season with 13 goals and 27 points in 63 games.

Despite turning 35 in June, Vrbata has a track record of being a productive goal scorer. Goal scoring is quite hard to come by in today’s game. Perhaps his 2015-16 struggles can be tied to his 6.5 shooting percentage, his lowest since the 2003-04 season, when he was with the Carolina Hurricanes. His shot generation numbers are still impressive.

While it is not likely that he will ever score 30 goals in a season again in his career, in the right situation, he could hit the 20 goal plateau. Vrbata has 259 goals and 295 assists for 554 points in 934 career games. He will hit his 1,000th game during the 2016-17 season assuming that he stays healthy. Teams that could be interested in him include the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Islanders.

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