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Florida Panthers: Radim Vrbata’s 2017-18 Season Recap

By Daniel Janicas

WINNIPEG, MB - FEBRUARY 18: Radim Vrbata #71 of the Florida Panthers takes part in the pre-game warm up prior to NHL action against the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell MTS Place on February 18, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - FEBRUARY 18: Radim Vrbata #71 of the Florida Panthers takes part in the pre-game warm up prior to NHL action against the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell MTS Place on February 18, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Following a fantastic year with the struggling Arizona Coyotes, Radim Vrbata embarked on a new journey with the Florida Panthers.

Radim Vrbata was signed in the offseason of 2017, signing a one-year deal with the Florida Panthers. Dale Tallon’s envision was for Radim to play on the second line with Vincent Trocheck, giving #21 a sharp-shooter to play with. While Vrbata racked up 55 points the previous year with the Arizona Coyotes, his stay in South Florida wasn’t so fruitful.

In just 42 games played, Vrbata tallied 5G, 9A, combining for a mere 14 points. For the majority of games that he didn’t feature in, the Czech native was often healthy scratched, watching his team play from the press box.

Despite scoring just five goals on the year, three of those five goals came in a game against the

Anaheim Ducks

back on October 26th, 2017. His hat trick propelled the Cats to an 8-3 victory over the Ducks, marking his seventh career NHL hat trick:

No matter who Radim was placed to play with, nothing seemed to click for the 36-year-old, right-winger. Even playing alongside the talented Trocheck couldn’t get Vrbata going. He struggled massively in all three zones of the ice, appearing like a ‘ghost’ throughout almost every game. His impact was very little, and it’s safe to say that his only impactful game came against the Ducks.

It was clear that the fit between both parties just wasn’t meant to be. While the Cats were looking for twenty goals out of Vrbata, he just didn’t have much left in the tank to offer. The rise in his decline was steady, and was becoming increasingly noticeable after every match he featured in. Ultimately however, the lesson that was truly learned was not to put high stock in a 36-year-old winger, especially for one who was due for retirement in the upcoming year.

Speaking of retirement, Radim Vrbata officially announced his following the game against the Buffalo Sabres on April, 7th. Ending off his lengthy career, Radim took part in 1,057 NHL games, recording a slash line of 248G, 339A, and 623 points, all while playing for the Arizona Coyotes, Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks, Tampa Bay Lightning, and of course… our Florida Panthers!

Next: How Aleksander Barkov Helps his Team

Unfortunately, there isn’t much more to say. While his final season in the NHL wasn’t so successful, it shouldn’t go without notice the success that he had with teams like Arizona. Not only will he be remembered as a sniper who could pot goals, but he’ll also go down as one of the better Czech players to play in the NHL. 

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