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NHL Rumors: Radim Vrbata close to one-year deal with Arizona Coyotes

ByDave Stevenson|
Feb 8, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Phoenix Coyotes right wing Radim Vrbata (17) watches his team take on the Dallas Stars during the third period at the American Airlines Center. Vrbata scores a goal in the third. The Stars defeated the Coyotes 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Phoenix Coyotes right wing Radim Vrbata (17) watches his team take on the Dallas Stars during the third period at the American Airlines Center. Vrbata scores a goal in the third. The Stars defeated the Coyotes 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Coyotes are close to signing forward Radim Vrbata to a one-year deal. 

After buying out Antoine Vermette earlier this offseason, the Arizona Coyotes have been looking to add a veteran forward to their team. Since the Coyotes are planning to use young centers, they have been exploring adding a wing to their roster. According to Craig Morgan, the Coyotes are close to adding former Vancouver Canucks wing Radim Vrbata to a one-year deal. Vrbata played for the Coyotes from 2009 to 2014.

Since Vrbata is coming of a very weak season, it’s very likely that he would come at a cheap price. Vrbata could also serve as insurance in case the Coyotes can’t get something done with restricted free agent Tobias Rieder. The Coyotes have struggled to get anything done with him and he has threatened to join the KHL if he doesn’t get something worked out.

With the Coyotes from 2009 to 2014, Vrbata scored 137 goals and had 151 assists in 428 games. The last time he played for the Coyotes, they were still known as the Phoenix Coyotes. In 142 games with the Canucks, Vrbata scored 44 goals and had 46 assists.

What can Vrbata bring to the Coyotes? His goal scoring declined last season, but he’s only a year removed from getting a career high 63 points and scoring 31 goals. He’s a very smart player and could be a great mentor for the Coyotes’ exciting young forwards. Shane Doan currently serves in that role, but he is the lone Coyotes forward over 30 years old as of right now.

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The Coyotes wouldn’t need him to be a 63 point scorer or a 30 goal scorer. Vrbata is very familiar with the Coyotes and he had a lot of success with them. This could be an excellent move for all parties. It would be a low risk and high reward move for the Coyotes and for Vrbata.

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