According to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, the Detroit Red Wings are still in contact with unrestricted free agent Thomas Vanek. Recently, Vanek came second in our poll of readers on who they considered the best free agent remaining, only coming in behind the legendary Jaromir Jagr who is getting some interesting offers of his own.
Vanek started last season with the Red Wings after being bought out by the Minnesota Wild, a move that was mostly because of the negative impact he had in his own end. Those same defensive questions remain this summer even after another season of good offensive performance. 48 points split between Detroit and the Florida Panthers—where he was dealt at the trade deadline—marked the 12th consecutive season (every single year of his career) that he’d recorded more than 40.
That type of offensive consistency isn’t easy to come by, and some team will be able to plug him into a sort of specialist role including lots of powerplay time and a regular turn in the shootout. It will be difficult for the Red Wings though, as St. James makes it clear that the team would need to move salary out before bringing in the 33-year old.
The interesting thing about Vanek is that he would once again be a trade candidate at the deadline should he sign with a bubble team, making Detroit a likely landing spot for just part of the season unless they drastically turn around their play from a year ago.
Holland give him 5×5 yet? Good lord he’s a terrible GM. Remember when everyone thought he was a God back when there was no cap and unlimited sums of that Mike Illitch money? Good times.
Ducks need the LW scoring depth. Would 1 year 3 mil get it done
Detroit: make up your freaking mind. Buy or sell. You sold last year at the deadline, and now you’re buying. That doesn’t make sense. It’s too early to buy.
It does though because they can buy now and sell what they buy at the deadline…
Up until he got traded he was Detroit’s most dangerous skater. Zetterberg hustled but was ineffective, Tatar didn’t progress til second half and Larkin slowly is proving he’s not a one trick pony. Would like to sign him but we have other major problems to address.
Without a doubt, they need to sign Vanek! When watching the team last year it was apparent Vanek was a difference maker.