Radim Vrbata is making a return to the desert. The veteran forward has been traded by the Tampa Bay Lightning back to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for Todd Fedoruk and David Hale.
Vrbata, 28, scored 27 goals for the Coyotes in 2007-08 before signing a three-year contract as an unrestricted free agent with the Lightning in July, 2008. He played only 18 games with Tampa Bay before being sent to play in his native Czech Republic for the remainder of the season.
Vrbata was drafted in the seventh round by the Colorado Avalanche in the 1999 draft. He scored three goals and added three assists with Tampa Bay last season.
Fedoruk, 30, signed with the Coyotes in July 2008. He played 72 games for the Coyotes last season, recording six goals and seven assists. The native of Redwater, Alberta will be joining his sixth NHL club, having played for Philadelphia, Anaheim, Dallas, Minnesota, and Phoenix.
Hale, 28, played in 48 games for Phoenix last season, and scored three goals and six assists. He was a first round draft pick of the New Jersey Devils in 2000.