Panthers agree to terms with forward Radim Vrbata on 1-year contract
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FLORIDA PANTHERS PRESS RELEASE
SUNRISE, Fla. -- Florida Panthers President of Hockey Operations & General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that the club has agreed to terms with forward Radim Vrbata on a one-year, one-way contract.
"Radim is a proven goal scorer who will complement our young centers," said Tallon. "He's a smart, skilled player and a reliable offensive presence on the power play. We are pleased to have signed Radim and welcome him to South Florida."
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Vrbata, 36, appeared in 81 games for the Arizona Coyotes during the 2016-17 season, recording 55 points (20-35-55) to lead the Coyotes in goals, assists and points. Over his last four seasons, Vrbata has registered at least 20 goals three times and amassed 31 goals and a career-best 63 points in 2014-15.
The 6-foot-1, 194-pound native of Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic, has appeared in 1,015 regular season NHL games, producing 609 points (279-330-609) for the Arizona/Phoenix Coyotes (2016-17, 2009-14, 2007-08), Vancouver Canucks (2014-16), Tampa Bay Lightning (2008-09), Chicago Blackhawks (2005-07), Carolina Hurricanes (2002-05) and Colorado Avalanche (2001-03). In 42 NHL playoff games, Vrbata has posted 18 points (8-10-18).
Vrbata represented Vancouver at the 2015 NHL All-Star Game. He was originally selected by Colorado in the seventh round (212th overall) of the 1999 NHL Draft.