NHL free agents: Mike Ribeiro signs with Phoenix Coyotes
Mike Ribeiro will bring some juice to the Coyotes' 25th-ranked power play. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
By Allan Muir
Free agent center Mike Ribeiro has signed with the Phoenix Coyotes. Let's just hope he checked with his wife first.
The 33-year-old center was given four years and $22 million. The deal includes a partial no-trade clause.
He told TSN he had hoped to stay in Washington, but the chance to play under Dave Tippett, who coached Ribeiro previously in Dallas, was a big factor in his decision when he realized that wasn't possible.
"He knows what he can get from me and I know what he wants and I'm ready to work for that," Ribeiro said.
He revealed he'd also been in talks with Ottawa and Toronto.
Ribeiro is a devastating offensive weapon coming off a 13-26-49 season that ranks among the best of his career. He played a key role on a Washington Capitals power play that clicked at a league-best 26.8 percent. The Coyotes ranked 25th in that category last season, so he should make an immediate and significant impact on the club.