Rumor: Former team in the mix for Vanek

With just weeks until the opening of NHL training camps and pre-season games, free-agent veteran Thomas Vanek is running out of time and suitors from a new contract. However, a report yesterday from the Detroit Free Press’ Helene St. James reveals that the 33-year-old Vanek and his former team, the Detroit Red Wings, have mutual interest in a reunion.

According to Vanek’s agent Steve Bartlett, the Red Wings “are still in the possibility range” for his client. The hang up, of course, is the salary cap. The Wings are currently about $3 million over the NHL’s $75 million salary cap and still need to sign restricted free-agent Andreas Athanasiou. If a return to Motown is in the cards for Vanek, the Wings will need to shed salary somehow.

In 48 games with the Wings last season Vanek was actually pretty productive. He put up 15 goals and 38 points before being shipped to the Florida Panthers at the trade deadline. He’s just three years removed from a 20+ goal, 50+ point performance with the Minnesota Wild and could provide the Wings with some much needed offense in 2017-18.