Coyotes Sign Free Agents Fiddler, Labarbera to Two-Year Deals

The Phoenix Coyotes added some depth to their roster on Wednesday by signing center Vernon Fiddler and goaltender Jason Labarbera to two-year contracts. Fiddler’s contract is $2.2 million, which averages out to $1.1 million per season, while the terms of Labarbera’s contract were not disclosed. In 78 games last season with the Nashville Predators, Fiddler scored 11 goals and six assists for 17 points. In 305 career games, all with the Predators, he has 45 goals and 48 assists for 93 points. Labarbera split last season with the Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks after being traded to the Canucks in December for a seventh round draft pick in 2009. In 28 games last season, he posted an 8-10-6 record with a 2.78 GAA and a .901 save percentage. These two signings are okay for the Coyotes, but not big ticket signings like some Coyotes’ fans were probably hoping for. Fiddler gives the team plenty of offensive depth up the middle and is effective when killing penalties. Labarbera gives the Coyotes a capable back-up to Ilya Bryzgalov who can play close to 30 games per season. Phoenix probably could have signed a more proven back-up than Labarbera, but with the financial difficulties facing the team right now, this was probably the most economical choice for them.