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Thomas Vanek eyeing a return to the Detroit Red Wings

By Ash Thompson

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 04: Thomas Vanek #62 of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on December 4, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Red Wings defeated the Islanders 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 04: Thomas Vanek #62 of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on December 4, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Red Wings defeated the Islanders 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Red Wings appear to be on the verge of signing Thomas Vanek on the opening day of free agency……….. Again.

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. Darren Dreger of TSN has reported on Twitter that Thomas Vanek is considering a return to the Detroit Red Wings. Vanek signed with the Detroit Red Wings on July first, 2016. He came to Detroit on a one year $2.6 million contract. He was traded at the 2017 deadline for Dylan McIlrath and a conditional draft pick for which the conditions were not met. Vanek split last season between the Vancouver Cannucks, and after being dealt at the deadline again, the Columbus Blue Jackets. He scored 24 goals and put up 56 points last year between the two clubs.

Vanek is a potential steal in free agency for any team willing to give him more than a single year of security. He has played for eight different teams in five seasons. He did not sign with Vancouver until September 1 last year for a mere $2 million. His trade deadline value was next to nothing, despite the fact that every team in the NHL needs players of his skill set. The idea of getting a 20 goal, 50 point player for an AAV of less than $3 million should have Red Wings fans salivating.

Vanek has spectacular vision. If he is put on a line with a sniper, he will feed the machine until it chokes on shot opportunities. He has shown the ability to play with youngsters just finding themselves in the league and to revitalize veterans who are struggling. After his trade to Columbus, his main line had 57.4 % of the shots on goal while they were on the ice. They outscored their opponents 16-4. Thomas Vanek was 30th in the NHL in primary points (goals and first assists) five on five.

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If it comes out that the Red Wings are paying Vanek $6 million per season, that changes the narrative here significantly. However, if Vanek is a Red Wing for anywhere under $4 million it is money well spent on a proven point producer.

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