Thomas Vanek

[W75]

He left 30.5 on the table. See a tweet in the op.

Huh, I never would have believed that. Thought he could take some kind of discount of course, but.. heck! He really wanted to come to Minnesota. Wow, this is so different.. in comparison with the situation when Gaborik left. Just huge.. I mean where Minnesota Wild as a franchise is right now.

 

[elnewby]

Can we start the season tomorrow? Vanek FBJ Pomminville is going to be a sick line. Granny is going to get 60 assists. Vanek and Pomminville are just going to have to get to good areas. Awesome contract too. Way to go fletcher! You did it again.

 

[IHaveNoCreativity]

3rd line is really young for the playoffs...

4th line RW could use an upgrade.

 

[TZM]

Can we start the season tomorrow? Vanek FBJ Pomminville is going to be a sick line. Granny is going to get 60 assists. Vanek and Pomminville are just going to have to get to good areas. Awesome contract too. Way to go fletcher! You did it again.

I think Vanek-Granlund-Pommer is too slow. I'd rather have one of Nino/Coyle/Parise there.

 

[Miqqo]

Michael Russo @Russostrib · 30 s
Ballard did a little "arm-twisting" with Vanek #mnwild

 

[tomgilbertfan]

@RussoStrib: Ballard did a little "arm-twisting" with Vanek #mnwild

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

3rd line is really young for the playoffs...

4th line RW could use an upgrade.

Upgrade from Fontaine? Not sure who that would be.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

@RussoStrib: Ballard did a little "arm-twisting" with Vanek #mnwild

Alright, he's earned his spot in the starting lineup then.

 

[BigT2002]

As it stands now:

Parise-Granny-Poms
Vanek-Koivu-Coyle
Nino-Haula-Fontaine/Zucker/Bulmer
Cooke-Brodz-Fontaine/Bulmer

 

[BigT2002]

@RussoStrib: Ballard did a little "arm-twisting" with Vanek #mnwild

Ok...this is now the 2nd time we've had a Dman be the one who talks to the star player about coming here didn't Gilbert do it with Parise?

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Parise/Vanek - Granlund - Pominville
Vanek/Parise - Koivu - Nino/Coyle
Cooke/Zucker - Haula - Coyle/Nino
Cooke/Whoever - Brodziak - Fontaine

Suter - Spurgeon
Scandella - Brodin
Ballard - Folin/Blum

Still have $13m+ in space... probably down to ~$7m after the RFAs re-sign.

 

[roon]

I think it sucks a bit that Nino is getting pushed to the 3rd line. Depth is great...but the kid has played well enough to get a shot in the top 6.

 

[this providence]

Top two will certainly be:

Parise - Koivu - Coyle
Vanek - Granlund - Pominville

Koivu line gets heavy assignments, Granlund line takes advantage. Not sure how the bottom 6 plays out because Fletcher always seemingly makes moves there but I'd say it's a great bet that Coyle will play over Nino...

 

[W75]

Ok...this is now the 2nd time we've had a Dman be the one who talks to the star player about coming here didn't Gilbert do it with Parise?

Fletcher is a true chess master, he saw all this already years before

 

[Miqqo]

Top two will certainly be:

Parise - Koivu - Coyle
Vanek - Granlund - Pominville

Koivu line gets heavy assignments, Granlund line takes advantage. Not sure how the bottom 6 plays out because Fletcher always seemingly makes moves there but I'd say it's a great bet that Coyle will play over Nino...

That would make sense in every level.

 

[Granlund 64]

Vanek on NHLN

 

[Miqqo]

Michael Russo @Russostrib
Yeo knows Vanek/Pominville chemistry, but my guess, #mnwild camp starts: Parise-Granlund-Pominville; Vanek-Koivu-Coyle

 

[Miqqo]

Chad Graff @ChadGraff · 11 s
#MNWild GM Chuck Fletcher in a statement: "Thomas is an elite offensive talent who showed a strong desire to play in Minnesota."

 

[Gaps]

Michael Russo @Russostrib
Yeo knows Vanek/Pominville chemistry, but my guess, #mnwild camp starts: Parise-Granlund-Pominville; Vanek-Koivu-Coyle

I think it'd be dumb not to play Vanek with Pominville if they have previous experience together. There's no statistical evidence to suggest that Parise should be kept with Granlund and Pominville. Vanek and Pominville aren't defensive dynamos but you'd just then have to shelter the line a bit.

 

[TaLoN]

I can't believe we have such an awesome GM! Went from I've of the worst to one of the best...

 

[Loopy0ne]

iggy changes the avs speed game and almost cost as much as vanek.... if i were them i would've def payed the extra 1.7 to keep stastny... instead they lost him for nothing. bad gming imho

 

[Sportsfan1]

I can't emphasize enough my love for this deal. If it was more then 3 years we might have had a problem, but in Fletcher we trust, couldn't be happier!

 

[Engebretson]

Lines will play out in training camp and whoever has chemistry with whoever will play together. I'm not concerned about that at all right now.

Bottom line is we picked up a dangerous top 6 forward who wants to play here on a pretty decent deal.

 

[Hall of Faber]

Love how Fletcher had the balls to put Vanek in his place and tell him 3 year deal or hit the road.

 

[W75]

I did a 180 degree turn in this case during the Frenzy. The deal is so reasonable that it doesn't hurt Wild too much even if it doesn't pan out.