Fantasy Impact: The Arizona Arizona Coyotes have signed veteran center Mike Ribeiro to a contract. The term: four years and a cap hit of $5.5 million per (with a partial NMC/NTC). Fair dollar  figure and term for one of the better free agents.

The Coyotes get:

A sublimely talented center that immediately becomes their best offensive forward. Ribeiro and Arizona coach Dave Tippett have a very good relationship, and that was likely a huge factor in this move. Ribeiro previously played for Tippett with the Dallas Stars.

His linemates from last season, courtesy of Frozen Pool:

Fantasy Players Impacted:

Ribeiro was already on the outs in Washington before today. It sounds like the Caps may give Mathieu Perreault a shot at centering the second line in Washington next year. Ribeiro will quite obviously take the line one spot in Arizona, bumping down all of the centers. He isn't very good defensively, but he is one of the best offensive centers in the game, especially on the power play. On paper at least, he should line up with Mikkel Boedker and Shane Doan on the top offensive unit.

For Ribeiro, he goes from an offensive team to a defensive one. And he also won't have as much talent around him. But he will have a bigger role, and that will include more ice time in key offensive situations.

Vermette slides off the top line, and he is better suited for two-way second line duties anyway:

Fantasy Players this helps, in order:

1. Perreault

2. Boedker (could be the real winner here – natural sniper)

3. Doan

4. Korpikoski

5. Brooks Laich

5. Any other Arizona wingers

6. Ribeiro (more ice time, worse linemates)

Fantasy Players this hurts, in order:

1. Antoine Vermette

2. Martin Hanzal