Mike Ribeiro moves on with Nashville Predators

Although he exited the Coyotes earlier this summer because of a buyout triggered by what General Manager Don Maloney termed "behavior issues," center Mike Ribeiro will resume his NHL career in the fall.

Ribeiro signed a one-year, $1.05 million contract Tuesday with the Nashville Predators, fulfilling their No.1 center role like he did last summer for the Coyotes when he signed a four-year, $22 million contract as their prized free-agent catch.

But Ribeiro could never live up to that expectation, finishing the season with 16 goals and 47 points. In his introductory press conference at Bridgestone Arena Tuesday, he pinpointed marital issues with his wife Tamara as a reason for his struggles on the ice.

"I was not committed to my job because of my issues," he told Josh Cooper of The Tennessean. "I just wanted the year to be over so I could go work on them and be a healthy person. I think my head is really clear. I have my family with me right now, and we're ready to move forward."

Ribeiro's camp actually sought out the Predators, figuring it'd be the right fit for him. Before signing the deal, Ribeiro visited Nashville to ensure he was making a decision that would also benefit Tamara and his three children -- Mikael, Noah and Viktoria.

"My wife and I still go to therapy, and couples therapy," he said. "What couples do to get healthy, I'm doing it. The main thing is to keep my children happy. For years I've been talking the talk, but children learn by seeing action and doing what you do. And that's what I do every day, to be a better dad and a better person, a better husband."

The Coyotes exercised a buyout of Ribeiro hours before the start of the NHL draft June 27 with Maloney making it clear the decision had nothing to do with money. Ribeiro will be paid approximately $1.94 million for the next six years, saving the Coyotes approximately $3.55 million in cash this season which they already used to acquire center Sam Gagner in a trade.

"I had a chance to really focus on myself and really learn about myself," Ribeiro said. "That's why I'm comfortable. What Mr. Maloney said – it shocked some people, my wife wasn't happy about it. I sat down, thought about it. I'm comfortable with myself now. I'm open with what happened or didn't happen with our marriage issues, and really I think I'm comfortable with it and not trying to hide it."

Since emerging as a full-time NHLer, Ribeiro's output with the Coyotes ranks as his worst. His point total was actually two shy of the point-per-game pace he put up the previous season with the Washington Capitals in the lockout-shortened campaign.

But Nashville just might be the setting that helps him rediscover his billing as a creative playmaker.

"If you don't have a good season, you want to bounce back from it and have a better situation, to have a year to come here and prove yourself," Ribeiro said. "You want to commit, be focused, help the team win. If you do that and go to the playoffs, everyone can gain from it."