Interest In Thomas Vanek And Drew Stafford Picking Up

Talks have picked up recently regarding free agent wingers Thomas Vanek and Drew Stafford, agent Steve Bartlett noted to WGR 550 in Buffalo.  Bartlett added that he’s hopeful that both players should be able to put pen to paper on new contracts in the near future:

“I do feel optimistic that something will come through for both of these guys in the next week or two, and I think definitely the temperature has risen from teams around the league on both players.”

Vanek is the highest scoring player from last season that’s still on the market as he tallied 48 points (17-31-48) in 68 games between Detroit and Florida.  His 0.71 points per game mark was his highest since 2013-14 but that hasn’t helped him land a new deal just yet.  The 33-year-old is coming off a one-year, $2.6MM contract that he signed shortly after being bought out by the Wild.  While his production would suggest that he should be in line for a raise, the fact he’s waited this long to find his next home makes it more likely that he’ll wind up with a below-market contract.

As for Stafford, his market took a nosedive last season after he struggled mightily with Winnipeg with just 13 points (4-9-13) in 40 games.  He fit in much better with the Bruins as a trade deadline pickup with four goals and four helpers in 18 contests but that obviously hasn’t been enough to generate interest.  It has been speculated that Boston wouldn’t mind having him back in training camp but they would prefer a PTO deal to a guaranteed contract.  He made $4.35MM in each of the past two seasons and whatever contract he winds up with will undoubtedly come well under that.

With training camps now just a few weeks away, it’s likely that talks will start to rekindle on other veteran free agents as well as general managers look to shore up their depth or try to find a below-market bargain deal.