Arizona Coyotes forward Tobias Rieder has a big decision to make. The 23-year-old restricted free agent has been embroiled in contentious contract negotiations for much of the offseason, and now he’s reportedly considering his options.
According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, those options include taking the Coyotes offer, requesting a trade, signing in the KHL, or sitting out.
Rieder had 14 goals and 23 assists in 82 games last season for Arizona. Born in Germany, he’s currently representing Team Europe in the World Cup final against Canada.
Rieder’s agent, Darren Ferris, has said his client won’t attend Coyotes training camp after the World Cup is over -- unless, of course, a deal is struck.
“We’ve made them a fair offer at two years at $2.5 million a year, and they’re unwilling to do it,” Ferris recently told the Arizona Republic.
The Coyotes have reportedly offered between $2 million and $2.3 million per season on a two-year deal, so it’s not exactly a huge gulf between the two sides.
Of course, it wasn’t a huge gulf between Vladimir Sobotka and the St. Louis Blues, and look what happened there.
Rieder frustrated by ARI's hard line. His options: 1. Take ARI offer. 2. Ask for a trade. 3. Go to KHL (he has offers). 4. Withhold service.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) September 28, 2016