Radim Vrbata will return to the Vancouver Canucks lineup Monday in Los Angeles, but you could forgive him for wanting the season to be over already.
The 34-year-old hasn't played since Feb. 21 due to a groin injury, and has only 12 goals and 12 assists in 57 games. It's been a nightmare few months, a season removed from scoring 31 goals.
Vrbata will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, and he's got the remainder of his season to up his value. He wasn't moved at the trade deadline, which means suitors won't likely be banging on his door on July 1.
Asked by the Vancouver Province's Ben Kuzma how tough the season has been, Vrbata was honest.
"We could be here a while," he said.
"It's been frustrating and there's not just one thing you could pinpoint and if not the most frustrating season, it's certainly one near the top."
Vrbata's a veteran. He broke into the league in 2001 and has 258 goals and 293 assists in 928 regular-season games over his career.
"To score goals in this league you need to have guys around you who are clicking," Vrbata said. "There aren’t too many guys who can do it on their own."
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