The Florida Panthers and right winger Radim Vrbata have agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million contract, reports TSN insider Pierre LeBrun.
Radim Vrbata signs one-year contract with Florida Panthers, per report
The now-former Coyotes winger is still a valuable scorer.
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Vrbata was one of many coveted free-agent right wingers this offseason in a very slim market for forwards. The 36-year-old played nearly 17 minutes a game as a middle-six winger for the Coyotes last season, and he will add depth scoring to the Panthers’ roster on the wings for a relatively cheap price.
The forward came back to Arizona last season on a $1 million base deal after playing in Vancouver for two seasons. Vrbata has also spent time with the Hurricanes, Avalanche, Blackhawks, and Lightning in his 15-year NHL career.
Last season, Vrbata put up 20 goals and 35 assists in 81 games for the Coyotes, bouncing back extremely well from his previous year in Vancouver that saw him put up 27 points in 63 games. With the addition of Vrbata, the Panthers get a veteran winger in decline that can still put up solid numbers in the middle-six of their lineup.
Vrbata essentially replaces Thomas Vanek as a power play presence with good scoring abilities.
Other notable free agent forwards this offseason are Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Alexander Radulov, Patrick Sharp, Jarome Iginla, Jaromir Jagr, Sam Gagner, and Justin Williams.
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