Wild To Buy Out Thomas Vanek

Per  a tweet from Michael Russo, the Minnesota Wild will in fact buy out Thomas Vanek’s contract. CapFriendly tweeted the financial implications, which would include a $1.5MM cap hit in 2016-2017, and a $2.5MM hit in 2017-2018. Russo also reported that the deal would save the Wild $5MM next season and gives them about $14MM in total cap space. TSN’s Bob McKenzie tweeted yesterday that a buyout was very possible.

Vanek’s numbers dipped a bit in the past season, getting 41 points (18-23) in 74 games. Vanek, once a two-time 40 goal scorer with Buffalo, has seen his production fall after signing a 3 year/$19.5MM deal with the Wild prior to the 2014-2015 season. Vanek was counted on to provide consistent goal scoring for Minnesota but only mustered 39 total goals in two seasons. The additional cap room will assist the Wild in trying to find someone to take the role Vanek was expected to fill.