TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Homesick Vrbata Placed On Waivers

ADVERTISEMENT

By ERIK ERLENDSSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 9, 2008

BOSTON - Before Tampa Bay departed for its four-game road trip, RW Radim Vrbata informed the team he would like to pack his bags for a trip home.

The Lightning obliged and placed Vrbata, who signed a three-year free-agent contract for $9 million on July 1, on waivers Monday. They did so with the intention of allowing Vrbata to return to the Czech Republic to play out the season, which means Tampa Bay would not be responsible for the remainder of Vrbata's contract this season, nor would he count against the salary cap. The door remains open for Vrbata, 28, to return at the start of next season to play out the remaining two years on his contract.

Vrbata, whose wife, Petra, is expecting the couple's first child in the spring, has until noon today to clear waivers.

"Radim came to see us on Sunday and wanted to have a conversation regarding things on a personal matter and it had nothing to do with - and somebody said he came in and quit, but none of that is true," Lightning GM Brian Lawton said. "His wife is pregnant, and that's been difficult in a new city and all the travel, so he inquired about wanting to go back home and play. I talked to our ownership group and they determined that would be fine."

After scoring 27 goals with Phoenix last season, Vrbata was expected to boost the team's scoring depth in a second-line role. But he had one point in his first nine games and no goals in his first 11. Since interim coach Rick Tocchet took over, Vrbata's production has increased with three goals in eight games. However, he's been a healthy scratch twice - once under Tocchet - and missed six games with a nagging groin injury.

Also on Monday, the Lightning placed C Chris Gratton on waivers. He has until noon today to clear, although there have been reports that at least one team, believed to be Toronto, has put in a claim for the 33-year-old. Gratton, who signed a one-year contract worth $1.25 million, has not played since Nov. 18, when he was put on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, which at the time was tendinitis in his knee, although Tocchet said over the weekend that Gratton had an ankle injury.

HALPERN HEALTHY: C Jeff Halpern continues to inch closer to a return, more than six months since rupturing the ACL in his right knee in May at the World Championships. While Tocchet said there is a "50-50" chance Halpern could be ready to return before the four-game road trip ends Saturday, the more likely scenario is Dec. 18 vs. Colorado, Dec. 20 at Atlanta or Dec. 23 at Pittsburgh.

In the meantime, Halpern could be sent to AHL Norfolk on a conditioning assignment.

"We're having those conversations now," Halpern said. "And I don't mind going down to do that. I want to get back as soon as possible, but I want to make sure I'm capable of playing at a high level."

MALONE SITS: LW Ryan Malone missed his second consecutive game Monday with an undisclosed upper-body injury. Malone said he hopes the time off will help alleviate the injury.

"I want to be out there helping the guys and I've been trying to battle through it," Malone said. "But if I'm not close to 100 percent, I don't want to be out there in a situation where I'm hurting the team."

Erik Erlendsson

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT