Thomas Vanek – Going
Thomas Vanek is a well-traveled veteran forward who probably loathes this time of year. It must get old being in trade talks leading up to the trade deadline year after year. This is his second stint with the Detroit Red Wings, and he’s played for eight different NHL franchises to this point in his career.
Last season Vanek went from the Vancouver Canucks to the Columbus Blue Jackets as a rental for Tyler Motte and Jussi Jokinen. That is an underwhelming return and earlier this season while Vanek continued to struggle it didn’t look like the Wings would be able to get much if anything for Vanek in the way of a rental.
Leading up to the bye week which included to All-Star break within it, Vanek started to get hot. He recorded 7 points, 3 goals over his last six contests. He’s been able to salvage 10 goals on the season and has potential to reach 20 if he can continue to produce on a regular basis. His 24 points in 44 games aren’t anything to write home about, and either is his -12 rating or his ugly 46.9 CF%.
Vanek, like Nyquist, has the ability to write his own ticket for the remainder of this season, he owns a Ken Holland special (NTC), and if he decides he doesn’t want to be a rental player again this season he will ride out the season with the Wings, and they won’t be able to acquire even a late-round draft choice for him.
I have no idea what Holland was thinking giving Vanek an NTC this past summer, understanding his team is rebuilding. I have no problem with the signing with the intention of flipping him for something at the deadline. People will say, — maybe he wouldn’t have signed without the NTC. Well if that is the case Holland needs to learn how to say “no” from time to time.
Vanek has proven of late to be a good leader; he spoke up in the room just before the All-Star break helping inspire the Wings to a win. His teammates seem to really like him, and these actions may lead to improving the Detroit Red Wings luck at finding a trade partner as a rental for the pending unrestricted free agent.
My potential landing spots: Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, New York Islanders, Boston Bruins, Nashville Predators, Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames