Vrbata Might Be Free
Radim Vrbata might test the free agent market as he, his agent, and Coyotes’ General Manager Don Maloney are far apart in the contract negotiations. The issue must be his overall value to the team.
During the final push toward a playoff spot last season, Vrbata went ice cold. He could not score when the Coyotes needed him too. It’s true that all players get into a long funk, but in the last 22 games, he did not score a goal and only notched seven assists.
Based on his performance, I would not categorize him as clutch player. His value is certainly less than what his agent suggests.
“Look at the World Championships. He put the puck in the net when he
got there (five goals in seven games). He played well, and any concern about
putting the puck in the net was dispelled by real good work at the World
Championships, playing against the elite players in the world.”Richard Evans, Vrbata’s agent quoted in the Arizona Republic
Elite players in the world? Maybe but, in a short tournament of less than 20 games.
Radim Vrbata was a streaky player last season, and it was difficult to determine the rhyme or reason behind it. However, when we did go cold, other players would pick up the slack. But the favor had to be returned some time, and that favor went unpaid in the last two months of the season.
Even though Evans states to the contrary, Vrbata will most likely not wear a Coyotes’ sweater for next season.
Yeah, I don’t know what his agent’s thinking. The guy should be begging to stay on the Coyotes where he can still get ice time and try to prove himself. He’s not an elite player until other teams start matching defensive forwards up against him.