The Detroit Red Wings have signed forward Thomas Vanek to a one-year deal. According to TSN’s Gord Miller, the deal is worth $2.6 million.
Vanek spent the last two seasons with the Minnesota Wild where he lit the lamp 39 times on his way to 93 points in 154 games. Despite being the Wild’s big signing of 2014, Vanek was bought out of the final year of his contract with Minnesota. Vanek’s salary was set to increase from $6.5 million to $7.5 million at the start of next season. The move will save the Wild $5 million.
The 32-year-old has turned into a bit of journeyman in the NHL. Since his time in Buffalo, where he spent his first nine seasons, Vanek has seen time as a part of the New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, Wild and now the Red Wings.
UPDATE: The #RedWings and LW Thomas Vanek agree to terms on a one-year deal. pic.twitter.com/GsLmvgut9y
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 1, 2016
Signing Vanek to a one-year deal that won’t break the bank is a great move for Detroit. Vanek, who hit 52 points two seasons ago, likely won’t put up the numbers that he did when he was in Buffalo but that is much more acceptable when he’s not in line to make over $7 million.
Now if Vanek can find even a hint of his old offensive prowess, when he surpassed 40 goals scored in a season twice and 30 goals scored in a season four times, the Red Wings will be milking a cow that many felt was on its way to being dried out.
Slot Vanek in with other offensive talents in Detroit’s lineup like Dylan Larkin, Henrik Zetterberg, Tomas Tatar and Gustav Nyquist and when firing on all cylinders the Red Wings could have a potent offense.
This is the fourth move of the day for Detroit who has already re-signed Darren Helm and Alexey Marchenko and went out grabbed Frans Nielsen off the open market.
