Wings Sign Thomas Vanek to 1 Year, $2.6 Million Contract

Welp, the Red Wings got their veteran signing out of the way.

The Detroit Red Wings have signed Thomas Vanek to a 1 year, $2.6 million contract.

Vanek had just been bought out by the Minnesota Wild after an 18 goal, 43 point season. The four time 30 goal scorer has seen better days, but he’s usually been a consistent 20 goals every year, which is good production in this era.

Analytically, he’s not the best, with only a 48.43% 5v5 CF% over his career, which normally he’s made up for with his goal totals, although over the last four years, it’s dropped to 46.76%. He has a career 5v5 P160 of 1.79, but it dipped to 1.45 this season.

All in all, it’s not a terrible deal. It’s a good show-me contract, and maybe Vanek can return to form. However, at 32, it’s not very likely, and this is likely to have the makings of another Brad Richards contract. He won’t be impactful, and this contract leaves little room for Jurco, Pulkkinen, or Mantha. It continues to show from what we’ve learned today that Ken Holland refuses to change his ways, and he seems to only be concerned about making the playoffs this season.