As we move into August, the Arizona Coyotes and German forward Tobias Rieder remain at an impasse in contract negotiations.
Should the Arizona Coyotes pay Tobias Rieder what he’s actually worth, or what he’s requesting?
That seems to be the crux of the matter for General Manager John Chayka, Head Coach Dave Tippett, and the rest of the front office.
Rieder appears to be looking for a deal that is similar to the one the Yotes handed out to free agent forward Jamie McGinn this offseason.
Unfortunately for the speedy winger, every comparable player at his production level is making less and managing the salary cap properly now will be a huge factor in whether or not Chayka will be able to keep all of these explosive young prospects in house should they pan out.
It’s a real conundrum for the franchise.
Rieder’s playstyle matches what the new-look Arizona Coyotes are gunning for to the letter, but the question of whether or not Tobi is a legitimate top-six forward remains unanswered.
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Is he an overachieving third line player who can fit into the top-six in a pinch?
Or is he blossoming into a full-time twenty goals per year player that is a piece of the foundation the Coyotes look to build around Dylan Strome, Max Domi, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson?
That answer will come regardless of what happens in these contract negotiations. The question is whether we’ll find out if he’s a foundational player in a Coyotes jersey or someone else’s.
Arizona Coyotes Links And News
Tobias Rieder’s agent says ‘no meaningful change’ in contract talks with Coyotes — The Hockey News
Who would have thought that one of the trickiest restricted free agents to get under contract would be Arizona Coyotes winger Tobias Rieder?
Puck Daddy Summer Series: Weird Arizona Coyotes — Puck Daddy
What Puck Daddy’s 2016 Summer Series seeks to do is capture those indefinable, quirky, oddities that occur every season. Moments that defy prediction or, in some cases, logical explanation. Welcome to WEIRD NHL.
Clayton Keller confirms he’s headed for NCAA — Today’s Slapshot
The Arizona Coyotes had three potential paths that US National Development team forward Clayton Keller could have taken this coming season.
The Other Local Sports
Tyrann Mathieu agrees to five-year contract with the Cardinals — Raising Zona
It looks like the Honey Badger is going to be one of the faces of the franchise for a good bit, injuries notwithstanding.
Tony La Russa says “the talent is here” for the Diamondbacks — Venom Strikes
In spite of a disastrous season, La Russa remains convinced that the Dbacks have the talent on-hand to quickly find their footing moving forward.
Trading Tyson Chandler: Phoenix Suns’ Potential Trading Partners — Valley of the Suns
The need to move Chandler stems more from the growth of Alex Len than from Chandler himself. Tyson is a team player and an asset to the culture, but he does not fit the rebuilding process.
Next: Yotes Changing Of The Guard Continues As Chipchura Departs For KHL
The Devin Booker hype train continues — Bright Side of the Sun
How much praise is too much? Is there a line that we are all toeing in our slobbering over Booker’s potential?