On Jarome Iginla …
Bo Hamby of LA Kings Insider: Jarome Iginla will turn 40 years old on July 1st, and the pending unrestricted free agent isn’t sure if he’ll play next season or retire. It’s sounding like he maybe leaning towards playing another year though.
“I don’t know for sure, but when I came I was probably 50/50 or leaning but it has been fun and it’s hard. It’s been actually a lot of fun being back and the race and meaningful games and things so I would say I’m leaning more towards believing I’ll come back. It’s fun and I want it to be but at the same time I’ve got to go and talk with the family and see what is. I don’t really know for sure but being here in the last month has been a lot of fun and I would say definitely would like to play more than call it a day but saying that, there’s a lot of things that go into it and I don’t know for sure but I’m hoping to play again. It doesn’t feel like I want that to be the last one.”
On Radim Vrbata …
Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic: Forward Radim Vrbata wants to continue playing.
“There wasn’t just one day where I said, ‘OK, you’re playing,'” Vrbata said Friday. “It was more throughout the season, the feeling was that I can still do this and continue and be important to the team in some way and just enjoy being around the guys and around the people that are around the team. Then we talked as a family what we want to do. The oldest (son) wants me to play, so that had something to do with it. And, yeah, we just feel like we have one more year in us.”
After the trade deadline, Vrbata and his family decided that he would continue playing.
Vrbata would like to remain with the Coyotes, and if there isn’t any interest from their end, he’ll consider other offers. He thinks the Coyotes will want him back and added if they are interested, “I think 99 percent we’re coming back,” he said.
When GM John Chayka was asked if he sees there being a roster spot for Vrbata next year.
“Yeah. He’s our leading scorer. He produced well for us, played well for us, fit in well with our group on the right side. I’d say the main thing is we’re looking to get better here in all areas. If there’s a way to get better, we’ll look to get better and certainly he proved he can be a productive player and a real stabilizing force for us. So I’d say it’s certainly on the table.”