The New Jersey Devils are officially in offseason mode. Over the next few days, we will look at 20 potential free agents they could look at signing. Today, we look at the Columbus Blue Jackets Thomas Vanek.
Thomas Vanek has one of the most interesting careers in the current NHL. He went from a superstar that a team could build around to a player that’s played on eight teams over the last five seasons. That’s not a typo, check it out. Vanek has been around the NHL in the blink of an eye. The New Jersey Devils could take advantage of this.
Vanek is still producing at a high rate. He isn’t the player that can score on any given night, but last season he proved that he’s still a 20 goal scorer that can round out a team’s top six. He’s also coming at bargain contracts, making him a low risk. After he was bought out by the Minnesota Wild, he signed for $2.6 million and then for $2 million over the next two seasons.
Even though Vanek added to the score sheet, one can’t see him cashing out like he once could. He still wants to get paid, but teams aren’t backing up the Brinks truck to Vanek’s house anymore. That’s how he ended up on the Vancouver Canucks to start last year. He was going to a team that was never going to be good, but he could add to his value and they traded him to the Blue Jackets.
Vanek scored 24 goals with 32 assists. He really came into his own after the trade, netting 15 points in the final 19 games in the season. This all came as the Blue Jackets were fighting for their playoff lives. He did fall off once the postseason started, scoring a goal in the first game against the Capitals, then getting shut out the rest of the series.
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Vanek could be a great fall back plan for the Devils. If Ray Shero strikes out on John Tavares and James van Riemsdyk, the Vanek would be a value pickup that takes pressure Taylor Hall and Kyle Palmieri on the first line. Even if he can only score 20 goals, then he’s still well worth his contract.
Vanek is 34 years old, so he isn’t going to be part of any team’s future, but the Devils could use a player in the present that can produce. 20 goals may not sound great in today’s NHL, but nobody outside the Devils first line hit that mark. Miles Wood hit 19 goals, and would probably hit 20 if his usage made more sense. The rest of the team scored 13 or less. With the way the Devils defense is constructed, they need more offense.
Vanek would be a good signing for the Devils. This is obviously a backup plan, but one that has some upside. Not upside like signing a young player, but more like banking on a player’s experience to add some needed scoring. Vanek coming to New Jersey for another $2 million deal would be a win-win for both sides.