• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Arizona Coyotes

Coyotes Bring Vrbata Back On One-Year Deal

By Mark Brown August 17th, 2016

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

At first glance, this seems like a very comfortable reunion.

Here’s right wing Radim Vrbata, who has a strong history with the Arizona Coyotes’ organization, and general manager John Chayka standing with an obvious need. After a less than productive season a year ago in Vancouver (13 goals, 14 assists in 63 games, minus 30), and free agency upon him, Vrbata took a look back and decided to retrace his steps. In agreement with Chayka and the Coyotes’ organization, Vrbata made the decision to return to the desert.

With smiles all around, the 35-year-old native of Mlada Boleslaw, Czech Republic agreed to a one-year contract worth a reported $1 million with incentives.

John Chayka

John Chayka (thehockeywriters.com)

Back with the Coyotes for a third time in his 16-year NHL career, Vrbata has still another opportunity to provide power to a line centered by Martin Hanzal, his long-time friend and fellow countryman.

At the same time, this is an opportunity for Chayka and coach Dave Tippett to transition between a veteran, like Vrbata, and younger players. At this point in the Arizona organization, there is not a great number of forwards with a productive right-handed shot. That’s what Vrbata essentially brings to the table, and says he looks forward to being back in familiar territory.

“This seemed like the right fit, and I’m happy to be back,” Vrbata said in a conference call with Arizona reporters Tuesday afternoon. “We love living in Arizona and with our third child just born, we wanted to make sure we made the right family decision as well as the right hockey decision.”

Decision to Return

Here in mid-August, the hockey clock began to weigh on Vrbata. After the start of free agency in early July, Vrbata said he wanted to wait about five days and see what offers came his way. When nothing of note transpired, the worry meter kicked in, and Vrbata finally settled on coming back to the desert.

During his second period with Coyotes, from 2009 to 2014, he pumped in 110 goals over those five seasons, but also tended to disappear for extended periods of time. Regarded as a hot-and-cold goal scorer, Vrbata has the capability to get hot and stay hot for a period of time. Conversely, and when he gets cold, it’s like dropping Vrbata into cold storage.

(Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports)

Martin Hanzal (Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports)

Now, the Coyotes need a right winger to complement captain Shane Doan, who recently signed to a one-year deal. Thin on the depth chart at right wing, it’s hoped Vrbata can spark the offense from that side of the rink, and come up with timely goals.

“From the standpoint of bringing in a veteran presence, this is a strategic fit for us,” Chayka said Tuesday during a conference call with Arizona reporters. “(Vrbata) gives us flexibility on the right side, and improves value.”

Admitting a history between Vrbata and Hanzal exists, Chayka would not go as far as to say the Hanzal-Vrbata pair would be reunited. Yet, that would seem to be a proper and logical direction. Looking for a left wing on that line, one possibility could be Tobias Rieder, who remains unsigned with a month remaining before the opening of training camp.

Vrbata’s presence on the right side should aid in overall production. With Doan coming off a 28-goal season, good for 31st best in the NHL and 12 tallies on the power play (eighth-best in the league), Vrbata is expected to assist in turning on the red light. For Tippett, this would be difficult to expect Doan, at 40-years-old by opening night, to duplicate his season of a year ago.

Plus, the Coyotes are thin on the right side. One name which continues to surface is 19-year-old Christian Fischer, a second round pick in 2015. Out of Chicago, Fischer scored 16 times in 41 games for the United States National Development Team Under 18. A jump to the NHL is beyond realistic, so Vrbata is brought in to help mentor younger players as well pop in a few goals.

Given his track record of scorching periods as well as ineffectiveness, Vrbata’s signing, for the Coyotes, could be an exercise in feast or famine.

  • Tags
  • Radim Vrbata
  • Shane Doan
  • Tobias Rieder
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 26th 1:55 PM
Anaheim Ducks

NHL Rumors: Blue Jackets, Jets, Ducks, Canadiens, More

Jan 26th 1:35 PM
Nashville Predators

Predators Need to Fix the Penalty Kill

Jan 26th 1:25 PM
Previews and Predictions

Capitals’ Keys to Success in Revenge Games Versus Islanders

Jan 26th 1:16 PM
Archives

Wayne Gretzky – The Great One’s 10 Most Unbreakable Records

Jan 26th 12:15 PM
NHL Expansion

Kraken Expansion Draft Targets on Maple Leafs Roster

Jan 26th 12:05 PM
Edmonton Oilers

Oilers’ Yamamoto Off to Strong Start in 2020-21

Jan 26th 11:55 AM
Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche Weekly: A Slow Start From Depth Forwards

Jan 26th 11:45 AM
Boston Bruins

Bruins’ Fourth Line Needs to Be Part of Winning Formula

Jan 26th 11:35 AM
Calgary Flames

Flames’ Tkachuk Not At Fault in Latest Controversy Despite Reputation

Jan 26th 11:25 AM
NHL Goaltending

Wild’s Backup Goaltender Kahkonen Stands Tall

Editor’s Picks
Wayne Gretzky - The Great One's 10 Most Unbreakable Records

Wayne Gretzky - The Great One's 10 Most Unbreakable Records

Test Your Wayne Gretzky Knowledge With Our Quiz

Test Your Wayne Gretzky Knowledge With Our Quiz

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information