We’ve heard it all summer, but Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports that the Red Wings are still in contact with Thomas Vanek about a potential return. Vanek’s agent Steve Bartlett told St. James that the team remains in the “possibility range” though other teams have increased interest recently. The team will likely have to make a roster move of some sort to get under the salary cap if Andreas Athanasiou does eventually sign—something that many of our readers doubt at this point—and would need to work even harder to fit Vanek in.
Vanek remains one of the more inexplicable free agent cases this summer, still without a job despite scoring 48 points in 68 games last season. His defense and lack of foot speed is clearly a sticking point, but many teams could use his offensive punch in various situations. The fact that he remains one of the better shootout specialists in the league is just a bonus, but one that can be worth real points in the standings.
If Vanek did return to Detroit, you’d have to expect he would be a trade candidate at the deadline again. With the Red Wings unlikely to really compete for a Stanley Cup, Vanek could net them another draft pick this year. As we’ve discussed previously, Vanek has no Olympic motivation since Austria did not qualify for the tournament last summer.
What is a compliance buyout? I asked that under the Rangers cap assessment article, but did not see it answered. Anyone know?
Hey Connor, compliance buyouts were given out to teams before the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons. Each team could buy out the remaining years of two player contracts, without any cap hit whatsoever.
For the Rangers, Wade Redden and Brad Richards were the two players bought out. They’ll be paying Richards just over $1MM every year until 2025-26, but it won’t be held against their cap.
Oh ok. Thanks!
Google couldn’t answer this for you Connor? It is the be all end all afterall. Not to sound like a dïck, but I’m sure you could have found this answer easily by googling “nhl compliance.”
It was a time sensitive buyout following the last NHL lockout. Not really relevant anymore. Aside from the few teams that are still paying out on it. Believe teams were allowed 2 of them per team after the last lockout. Cost them 66% of the contract to fix bad contracts they signed a year or 2 prior to the lockout that would be long term hinderances. If I remember correctly.