{"id":5621,"date":"2017-01-20T01:12:13","date_gmt":"2017-01-20T06:12:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=5621"},"modified":"2017-01-20T12:35:35","modified_gmt":"2017-01-20T17:35:35","slug":"thomas-vaneks-trade-value-heating-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2017\/01\/20\/thomas-vaneks-trade-value-heating-up\/","title":{"rendered":"Thomas Vanek’s Trade Value Heating Up"},"content":{"rendered":"

Each off-season, the most important moves made by teams aren’t often big splash signings or trades. The moves that make the most impact are usually the ones that fly under the radar.\u00a0Sam Gagner<\/a><\/strong> and Alexander Radulov<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>have both been impact signings for Columbus and Montreal respectively. However, no player may be having a better season for his team than\u00a0Thomas Vanek<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

He was coming off a disappointing season in Minnesota where he put up only 18 goals and 41 points, both numbers which were career lows for a full season. He took a one-year flier with Detroit, and it has paid off for both parties. He is tied for the team lead with 12 goals and points with 31. These numbers are impressive, but look even better considering he has played 11 less game than\u00a0Henrik Zetterberg<\/a><\/strong> who also has 31 points. With the Red Wings struggling for most of the season, Vanek’s biggest value to the team may come at the trade deadline. It’s safe to say that Thomas Vanek’s trade value is heating up.<\/p>\n

How do analytics see Thomas Vanek this year?<\/h3>\n

Whether you are old school or new school, analytics can help provide a deeper look at how a player is performing. While the traditional stat line can provide a general idea of a player’s success, it doesn’t cover all factors. Thomas Vanek doesn’t have the leagues greatest numbers with a CF% of 50.3 and a FF% of 50.1 but he ranks seventh in both rankings on the Red Wings. These rankings are slightly misleading though, as\u00a0Brian Lashoff<\/a><\/strong> and Nick Jensen<\/a><\/strong> both rank above him, but have significantly less games played. He also ranks second on the team in PDO at 103.3, and also has a positive SF% and xGF%, which points to his play not only benefitting himself, but his teammates as well. This is shown by his 63.41 GF% and a GF60 rating of 3.99. It is further proved by his oiSH% of 11.9, which is third highest for Detroit.<\/p>\n

Just How High is Thomas Vanek’s Trade Value?<\/h3>\n

At seasons start, the goal for the Detroit Red Wings was the same as it has been every year since 1990; make the playoffs. However, as the season has progressed, it has started to look less and less likely. There have been sparks of hope, but they have been surrounded by a cloud of disappointment. When things started to sour, people began to look and see who might be traded if things continue to go poorly. All eyes immediately went in the direction of Thomas Vanek. Of course, he is no stranger to being traded. It happened to him twice during the 2013-2014 season. So while he is used to it, it doesn’t get any easier to have to constantly move his family.<\/p>\n

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Thomas Vanek stresses that he really likes Detroit and wants to stay but said he's getting used to moving if he's traded at the deadline. pic.twitter.com\/onAbBQI5we<\/a><\/p>\n

— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) January 16, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n