Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Mike Ribeiro
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At first glance, one might say Ribeiro had a solid season in 2015-16, finishing third among Nashville forwards with 50 points. However, he faltered badly down the stretch, notching just three points in his last 14 regular-season games. His struggles continued into the playoffs, as he registered just two points in 12 contests and was even a healthy scratch for Games 3 and 4 of the conference semifinals against San Jose. Following that series, Preds GM David Poile said Ribeiro "really needs to have the summer of his life to regain his position back on the top two lines." The biggest knocks on the 36-year-old Ribeiro are twofold: he doesn't always give it his all in the defensive zone, and he isn't much of a scoring threat at this juncture of his career – his seven goals in the regular season counted as his lowest output in 13 seasons. Ribeiro has one year left on his contract with the Predators, and if he can’t elevate his game again, it wouldn’t be surprising to see this be his last NHL season.
Brought in last summer in free agency by the Predators on just a one-year, $1.05 million deal, Ribeiro proved to be one of hockey's best bargains, notching 15 goals and 62 points while playing in all 82 games. The 35-year-old centered the first line and top power-play unit, posting his best offensive season in three years. Lining up alongside Filip Forsberg, Ribeiro was the perfect setup man for the rookie sensation, who potted 26 goals in his first NHL campaign. Ribeiro, who finished 12th in the NHL in assists in 2014-15, earned a more lucrative two-year deal to remain in Nashville this summer, and he'll be expected to turn out another 60-point year. So long as he sticks on the top line with top sniping threats Forsberg and James Neal, there is no reason Ribeiro can’t replicate his outputs from last season.
Ribeiro, who spent time with three different teams over the past three seasons (Phoenix, Washington and Dallas), signed a one-year, $1.05 million contract with the Predators in July. The veteran was bought out by the Coyotes after notching 47 points in 80 games last season, and figures to at least get a look on the Preds’ top line alongside another recent acquisition -- James Neal -- with Colin Wilson likely on the opposite wing. At 35, Ribeiro’s best days are likely behind him, but the Preds believe he will still be a valuable asset this season, and will give him every opportunity to prove his worth.
Ribeiro is the Coyotes' first big free agent splash in some time, thanks largely to the arrival of the new ownership group. Ribeiro comes to the Coyotes from the Caps, where he posted 49 points in 48 games. He says he played some of his best hockey under Coyotes' head coach Dave Tippett when the two were together in Dallas. Expectations are sky-high for the former Cap, but he will be hard-pressed to deliver a point-per-game in the desert.
One of the league's more underrated playmakers, Ribiero joins the Caps after several productive seasons with Dallas. Ribiero is coming off consecutive 71 and 63-point seasons with the Stars and is expected to give Washington another center with the capability of potting more than 15 goals. Look for Ribiero to see power-play time with the team's top unit and challenge 60-65 points once more. He can be a good value provided you don't pay too much for him.
Ribeiro continued to be one of the finer setup men in the league, reaching the 50-assist mark for the third time in four seasons. He'll face extra defensive pressure as Dallas' No. 1 center following the departure of Brad Richards, however, so there's good reason for some concern and a small step back wouldn't come as a shock.
Ribeiro took a step back last year after consecutive seasons as Dallas' leading scorer. His 34 assists were his lowest helper output since 2002-03, though he did manage to net eight power play goals among his 19 scores on the season. He's clearly Dallas' second center behind Brad Richards, and Brenden Morrow's struggles to finish at times cut into Ribeiro's assist totals. He was limited to just 66 games after taking a stick to the throat mid-season, but there's a rebound season in him if he can stay healthy.
Ribeiro enjoyed another nice season (22-56-78) despite missing wingman Brenden Morrow for much of the season. He led the Stars in scoring again, and will combine with Brad Richards to give Dallas two excellent scoring centers. He's a safe bet for another 25 G, 55 A campaign.
Ribeiro continues to flourish away from the spotlight in Montreal, establishing career highs in points, goals and assists last year. His goal scoring dropped off a bit as the year wore on due to unsustainable early-season shooting percentage but he remains a solid bet to approach 90 points.
Stolen from Montreal late in training camp for Janne Niinimaa, Ribeiro ended up leading an injury-wrecked Dallas lineip in scoring last season. He's a good bet to improve on those numbers with Brenden Morrow on his wing for a full season, and should come close to eclipsing his numbers from 2003-04 (20 goals, 45 assists)
Ribeiro led Montreal in scoring in 2003-04. The slim center finally lived up to expectations, but now has even loftier ones placed on him. He’ll anchor the second scoring line this season, but must become more of a two-way player. Coach Julien is reluctant to put Ribeiro out there with the game on the line, thus limiting his scoring chances and potential for points.
