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Detroit Red Wings: Vanek and Nyquist Hold Keys to Future not Holland

By Bob Heyrman

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 18: Thomas Vanek #62 of the Detroit Red Wings pounds gloves with teammates on the bench following his shoot-out goal in O.T. during an NHL game against the Boston Bruins at Joe Louis Arena on January 18, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Wings defeated the Bruins 6-5 in a shoot-out. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 18: Thomas Vanek #62 of the Detroit Red Wings pounds gloves with teammates on the bench following his shoot-out goal in O.T. during an NHL game against the Boston Bruins at Joe Louis Arena on January 18, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Wings defeated the Bruins 6-5 in a shoot-out. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The trade deadline may become interesting this season for the Detroit Red Wings.  The players hold the cards to their future, not Ken Holland.

When Ken Holland and the Detroit Red Wings signed Thomas Vanek, some people were left to scratch their heads. Others thought, a signing we can get behind because he remains a beautiful piece to flip at the deadline for draft picks.

Hold the phone for a second, and say it ain’t so.  Ken Holland gave Thomas Vanek a one-year-deal worth 3 million dollars.  Here is the kicker, Holland also attached one of his famous no-trade clauses to the deal.  Did your stomach just drop?  Not even one of those modified no-trade causes where the player is forced to submit 10 teams he would approve a trade too.  Or 10 teams a player refuses to accept a deal too.

Nope, Kenny Holland gave Thomas Vanek a full no-trade clause.  Are you kidding me, Kenny?  Why would you sign a 34-year-old winger while in a rebuild and attach a full no-trade to his deal?  To me, it makes no sense.  If Vanek, who has often been packing his bag over the last few trade deadlines doesn’t want to move again to be a rental Detroit is out of luck.

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The only way the signing makes any sense and becomes beneficial to the Detroit Red Wings is being able to flip him for draft picks at the trade deadline.  This isn’t saying Vanek won’t want to move to a contender again but why leave it in his hands?  A franchise rebuilding should never tie their hands the way Ken Holland has done.

The other trade asset is Gustav Nyquist.  Nyquist is entering the final year of his four-year deal.  At the time of the signing Nyquist still had high potential and was coming off of back to back 25 plus goal seasons.  Similar to Thomas Vanek, Gus holds the keys to his future.  Ken Holland attached a full-trade clause to Nyquist’s contract at the time of the deal.

The goal production has been quite sparse since the signing.  Nyquist has only been able to reach the 20 goal plateau once in the last three season.  It was last season Nyquist was able to net 21 goals. To obtain the highest return for the Detroit Red Wings, they need Gus to have a strong season.

Next. Detroit Red Wings: Ken Holland’s Obsession with the NTC. dark

Not saying it becomes impossible to make a deal or that either player will refuse to accept a deal but it makes for a bit more of an uncomfortable situation as the season trecks on.  During a rebuild it is critical the General Manager holds the cards rather than the players.

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