The report was accurate. The Arizona Coyotes are indeed bringing back Radim Vrbata.
“We are very pleased to sign Radim to a one-year contract,” said GM John Chayka in a release. “He’s a proven goal scorer who will add skill and smarts to our lineup. We look forward to having him back in a Coyotes uniform this season.”
Vrbata, 35, has already played 428 games for the Coyotes. He had a 35-goal season for them in 2011-12 while skating on a line with Ray Whitney and Martin Hanzal. He left the Coyotes in the summer of 2014, signing a two-year contract with Vancouver. His first season with the Canucks went well and included an All-Star Game appearance; his second season was much more of a struggle and he finished with just 13 goals in 63 games.
“I’m very excited to rejoin the Coyotes,” said Vrbata. “My family and I love living in Arizona and I’m really looking forward to helping this team win.”
The base salary of Vrbata’s new deal reportedly comes with a base salary of just $1 million, but there are apparently bonuses involved. The Coyotes, of course, don’t really have to worry about cap space. They’ve got plenty of that.