Thomas Vanek wants a mulligan on his declining NHL career.
[link_box id=”22277″ site_id=”17″ layout=”link-box-third” alignment=”alignright”]Once an elite NHL scorer topping out at 43 goals back in 2006-2007, Vanek has seen his goal scoring output fade over the past couple seasons. After signing a three-year contract, worth $19.5 million with the Minnesota Wild, Vanek was bought out after scoring just 39 goals in two seasons. The 32-year-old signed a one-year, $2.6 million flier with the Detroit Red Wings this offseason.
Vanek is confident he can still score and admits Minnesota wasn’t a great fit.
“I know I can still play the game and score goals,” Vanek told Mike Harrington from the Buffalo News. “For me the biggest thing was Minnesota just wasn’t a good fit. It is what it is. There’s no rhyme or reason for it.”
Vanek welcomed the change to the motor city, telling the Buffalo News he’s excited to play with smaller, skilled guys such as Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tartar.
“I think being back in the East is going to help me and the way Detroit plays with smaller skilled guys, I think I can get to the front of the net and go to where I’m good at,” Vanek added.
The left winger isn’t washed up, but unless he finds an old gear with the Red Wings, don’t expect another 40-goal season. 20-25 seems more in the cards, which is perfectly reasonable production for his contract and age.
[theScore]
