Happy Fathers Day to one and all.
I was at the rink at 6:00am EDT, and played a spirited game of shinny with my fellow fat, old hockey bros. God, I love this game!
On this day, I'm thinking of Thomas Vanek and his value on the UFA market.
Will Vanek cashi-in on a seven year, $49 million contract on July 1st? Remember, that's the term and dollars that Vanek reportedly declined when offered it by NY Islanders GM Garth Snow back in February. At the time, Vanek declared his willingness to want to test the unrestricted free agency market. Snow had no other choice but to trade Vanek before the NHL trade deadline in order to maximize his return on the ginormous investment that he forked over in order to land Vanek from the Buffalo Sabres on October 27. Snow sent Matt Moulson and his 2015 first round draft choice to the Sabres in exchange for the Austrian assassin
an. His time on the Island was productive, however, he had to be moved to Montreal so that Snow could save face. Once comfortable with his new surrounding in Montreal, Vanek thrived in their uptempo, puck-possession system. He found instant karma with his new line mates David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty and the Habs became an immediate, legitimate Cup contender with his four balanced, productive lines, its solid D corps and Carey Price's mastery in the net.
Vanek's time in Montreal ended with a whimper as the Habs were eliminated by the NY Rangers. Vanek's on ice heroics from the Boston Bruins series quickly faded to black when his offensive production and self confidence slid down faster than pole dancer at the Montreal "ballet".
True. Vanek's playoff performances in Montreal were mercurial, to say the least. He was up, then down, then up again. He wasn't the only Hab forwad to suffer mood swings in his offensive and defensive production. Plekanec, Pacioretty, Desharnais, Gallagher, and others were equally as inconsistent as Vanek. Say what you want folks, the would not have beaten the Bruins in seven games were it not for Vanek's four goals in that series. His critics continue to tar and feather the former Sabres sniper because of his up and down play in the Eastern Conference Finals. Vanek admitted on locker clean out day that he lost confidence in his game after Habs head coach Mike Therrien dumped him down to the fourth line after he had enjoyed a whirlwind of success while playing with David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty for three months. That line was arguably the ebst line in the NHL when they played together. Why then did Therrien hastily break-up his top line in the playoffs? Spite? Arrogance? Panic? Only Therrien knows for sure what his motives were to play Vanek in his bottom six group, for less than 11 minutes per game, while the stakes were high.
In the end, Vanek scored five goals and added five helpers 17 playoff games for the Habs. Hardly the vanishing act that his critics are accusing him of.
Vanek's stay in Montreal was just a lay-over en route to his final destination.
For over a year, I've been telling you that Vanek's eventual landing spot will be the Twin Cities. He's a Stillwater, MN resident. His wife is a Minny native. His best friend in life, Jason Pominville, is already on board with the Wild. The thinking has been that the former Minnesota Golden Gopher would find his eventual way home to play in front of his family, friends, and legions of fans in the State Of Hockey.
Michael Russo of the Star Tribune says that its best to pump the brakes on the Vanek to the Wild talk.
You will hear this term a lot leading into free agency: There is a “price point” the Wild is willing to reach for certain players. Thomas Vanek is no longer a given. Four or five months ago, I think it was a given. But the bright future that many of the kids provide the Wild coupled with Vanek’s tough postseason with Montreal has changed things.
Will Chuck Fletcher be willing to silde a $49 million guaranteed offer across the desk to Vanek come July 1? Time will tell. I have a source who tells me that Vanek will end up in Minnesota. He'll likely sign for five-year term. A contract in the $6.5-$7 million range is not out of the question. Organizationally, the Wild are committed to developing their uber-talented kid forwards in Mikael Granlund, Charlie Coyle, Nino Niederreiter, and Erik Haula. Adding Vanek won't stunt the growth of young studs. Vanek can help to cultivate the talent and to help the kids reach their true potential. He also augments the veteran core in Koivu, Parise, and Pominville. Despite his topsy turvy season, Vanek scored 27 goals and accumulated 68 points while playing for the Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders, and Montreal Canadiens. Pay for play. Vanek will get paid. The Wild see his true value and have already vetted him. Its just a matter of time until they can officially sign him. Vanek is 30, and he has a ton of rubber left on his high performance Pirrelli Tires. Fletcher will have cap space now that Dany Heatley's gargantuan contract is off the books. The salary cap will soar to $70 million this season. Vanek fits the Wild's budget and he answers an immediate need which is consistent offense.
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