Winger Thomas Vanek has signed with the Vancouver Canucks. The deal is worth $2 million for just one year. This will be the seventh NHL franchise Vanek has played for.
Thomas Vanek Signs With Vancouver Canucks
Vanek is coming off an up an down season. He began the year with the Detroit Red Wings. The Austrian thrived in the Motor City, racking up 38 points in 48 games. At the trade deadline he was traded to the Florida Panthers. His success did not follow him to The Sunshine State. He only had 10 points in 20 games with the Panthers.
The winger may be entering the final chapter of his career. The Buffalo Sabres selected Vanek 5th overall in the 2003 NHL Entry draft. Before the NHL, Vanek enjoyed a very successful career with the University of Minnesota. In his two years with the Golden Gophers, he recorded 113 points in 83 games. He also helped Minnesota win the 2003 National Championship, where he was named Tournament MVP.
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Vanek began his NHL career in 2004-2005. He spent eight seasons with the Sabres, scoring 30 or more goals four times. After playing 13 games for Buffalo in the 2013-2014 season, the Sabres traded him to the New York Islanders. However, after playing 47 games on Long Island, The Montreal Canadiens traded for him. He recorded 15 points in 18 regular season games for the Canadiens and added 10 points in 17 playoff games.
He returned to the State of Hockey in 2014-2015 as a member of the Minnesota Wild. Vanek played two seasons in Minnesota, racking up 93 points in 154 games.
Vanek is a very streaky player in the twilight of his career. He still shows flashes of the player he was with the Sabres but tends to go cold for stretches during the season. However, the Austrian can still be a solid contributor and a valuable addition to any powerplay.
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