Arizona Coyotes: Tobias Rieder Still Unsigned

Arizona Coyotes restricted free agent Tobias Rieder remains unsigned by new General Manager John Chayka.

The Arizona Coyotes have a ton of exciting youth. Everyone says so, so it must be true, right?

Among the Domi’s, Duclair’s, Strome’s, and Dvorak’s, however, there is one name you rarely hear on the lips of people outside of Glendale.

Tobias Rieder.

With no press and little fanfare, Rieder has quietly carved out a nice little career for himself in Arizona. He’s also won some hearts along the way.

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A surprise in training camp in 2014, the German winger made the Arizona Coyotes’ roster in 2014-15 and the fans voted him the team’s hardest working player at the end of the season.

He contributed 13 goals and 8 assists in 71 games in 2014-15. In 2015-16, he scored 14 goals and 23 assists to nearly double his previous season’s points total with 37 points.

His rookie contract expired at the end of this past season and he’s now a restricted free agent whom General Manager John Chayka wants to re-sign.

He didn’t sign the Arizona Coyotes’ qualifying offer, however, and The Hockey News’ Dhiren Mahiban has reported that the franchise’s contract talks with Rieder have hit a “little snag”.

Rieder was injured at the World Championships while playing for Germany, but it’s unlikely to limit him heading into the season and therefore seems like it can be ruled out as a sore spot.

Looking at Tobi’s hero chart, we can see that production wise #8 slots in as a solid third line winger though he has certainly spent some time above that lot under Head Coach Dave Tippett.

On the other hand, if we take a look at the second column we find that Tobias Rieder generates shots like nobodies business and he’s not too shabby at shot suppression, either.

He’s a forward who drives possession on a team that was horrible at possessing the puck last season.

I’m sure John Chayka is well aware.

In short, he’s the ideal candidate for Chayka and the new Arizona Coyotes brain trust to lock up on a team friendly deal.

For now, though, Tobias Rieder and the team seem to be unable to come to an agreement on a number that suits both parties.

As an unabashed fan of #8, it does make me a little squeamish knowing Tobi is just floating out there while his agent and Chayka come to terms.

Fear not though. Rieder fits the mold of the fast, possession oriented team the new general manager is trying to build.

Next: Coyotes Fights: 2014-15 Season Part I

He’ll likely be with the Arizona Coyotes for a few more years starting this fall.

And once that contract is signed, he won’t even care how many times Head Coach Dave Tippett calls him Rider instead of Rieder.