Tobias Rieder’s agent Darren Ferris thinks the best solution to the restricted free agent’s contract negotiations is trading the talented forward. Speaking with Craig Morgan of ArizonaSports.com, Ferris said Rieder is quite disappointed with the Coyotes.
“I think it would be best for both parties if they just traded him,” Ferris wrote. “He is really disappointed with them.”
“They offered $2.2 million,” said Ferris, adding that the Coyotes have also offered a lower, one-year qualifying offer.
[link_box id=”22277″ site_id=”17″ layout=”link-box-third” alignment=”alignright”]The 23-year-old has emerged as an important depth player for Arizona since getting traded in a one-for-one deal with the Edmonton Oilers for Kale Kessy. Rieder set a career-high with 14 goals and 37 points in 2015-16, playing a variety of roles for the young Arizona squad.
Ferris expressed disappointment at the situation, admitting the Coyotes didn’t value what Rieder brought to the team.
“It’s unfortunate that a good kid gets treated this way. He never balked at the defensive role they made him play, and they don’t seem to value the intangibles he brings to the team.”
Arizona general manager John Chayka said on media day that the Coyotes wanted a long-term deal with Rieder, but after no resolution towards a lengthier contract was found, a bridge deal became the focal point of discussion.
It appears the Coyotes want Rieder locked up long-term, but settling for a bridge contract would work in this case. The discussed two-year, $2.5 million AAV seems reasonable for both parties, but with little cap space following the acquisitions of Dave Bolland and Pavel Datsyuk’s contract, the Coyotes will have to get creative. Regardless, Rieder is probably staying put as Chayka has stated he’s not trading him. Hopefully a resolution can be found between both parties.
