Forward Radim Vrbata is returning for a third stint with the Arizona Coyotes, signing an incentive-laden one-year contract to return to the franchise where he's enjoyed the most success of his 14-year career.
Craig Morgan of ArizonaSports.com reported that the contract has a base value of $1 million, with performance-based incentives that could escalate the total to $3 million.
"He's at an age where you're able to create an incentivized structure like that," general manager John Chayka said. "It's good for both the player and the team. We hope he gets the bonuses.
"If he plays well, it will be more than one year."
Vrbata has played six seasons with the Coyotes in two previous stints (2007-08 and 2009-14), accumulating 137 goals, 151 assists and a plus-41 rating in 428 games. He's scored 20 or more goals four times as a Coyotes, including a career-best 35 in 2011-12. He ranks 11th in franchise history for most goals.
He has spent the past two seasons with the Vancouver Canucks after signing a two-year, $10 million contract as a free agent prior to the 2014-15 season. He had 31 goals and 32 assists for the Canucks in his first season while paired on a line with Henrik and Daniel Sedin, but tailed off to 13 goals and 14 assists last year while skating with less-effective linemates.
Best of luck in your return to the @ArizonaCoyotes Vrby! pic.twitter.com/bQtzMRXAGR
— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) August 16, 2016
"I'm very excited to rejoin the Coyotes," Vrbata said. "My family and I love living in Arizona and I'm really looking forward to helping this team win.
"We never really wanted to leave."
Chayka said Vrbata checked a lot of boxes as the Coyotes continue to fill out the remaining gaps on their roster: "Right shot, proven goal scorer, possession driver. We felt that he was a perfect fit."
Vrbata said that at his age, coming off the season he had, he understood the reality of the free-agent market. With three children, including a new-born, he said the biggest concern was getting the family settled.
"Being 35, I think I handled it a lot easier if I was 28 or 30," he said. "I was more stressed about the family situation.
"From a hockey standpoint, I'm 35, I know where NHL is going these days, with the strength of younger players coming in. It's different that it was in previous years."
Much of Vrbata's success with the Coyotes came when being paired with fellow Czech Martin Hanzal, and Vrbata is hoping that can be resurrected.
"I talked to Tipp (coach Dave Tippett) before we went ahead with it," Vrbata said. "What his view is, he said the role would be similar to the role I had before. Playing with Marty and somebody else on the left wing.
"I understand it's a younger team, and I'll be one of the older guys."
One of the reasons Vrbata fills a need for the Coyotes is a continued impasse with restricted free agent right wing Tobias Rieder, who is considering signing with a team in his native Germany. Chayka said there is nothing new to report on negotiations.
"Toby's a good player, we like him a lot, he's well-liked by his coaching staff and his teammates," Chayka said. "We think the right plcae for him is in Arizona, and we think our offer has been consistent with that. He's an important piece of what we're doing here, and we hope we can get something done."
