I like the goals, think it was a great find for this season. He has been a godsend for offense when CBJ most needed it. He could disappear now and the pickup would have been more than worth the cost for this season alone.
Signing him to a ONE year deal for $2.0-2.5? Probably makes sense - but I like the fact that the CBJ has the luxury of seeing how he performs in the playoffs. A 14-game preview just isn't enough of a sample size for me, as good as it has been.
If in the playoffs he disappears or the lack of speed liability becomes visibly greater during the playoffs, then I might pass on re-signing him, although a price tag at $2.0 makes it very tempting to see if he rebounds. I want the current Vanek for $2.0-2.5 M, not a slower and older version. The other data that makes me inclined to re-sign Vanek is that what seemed like great organizational depth in the F group does not appear to be currently fact. No offense to Broadhurst, but if that is the best call up from Cleveland available at F right now, then the IMMEDIATE prospect pool for next year is close to empty. Abramov, Texier, etc... may be ready soon, but likely not until 19-20 season, at the earliest. And Dubi's struggles don't help the immediate future F scenario either (I hope he's not done, but still adjusting to injury, visor, reduced role, so holding out for playoff Dubi). But it looks like CBJ will have a need next year up front. Having said that, if another club offers Vanek multiple years, let him go. This isn't Letestu, McKenzie, etc... Vanek has no speed and no extra gear to combat the ever-increasing speed in the NHL game. Part of Vanek's appeal is that Andy has been injured - would Vanek have gotten enough ice-time to blossom if Andy hadn't been injured? On what line? And I'd be the first to admit Andy's 2nd half was nowhere near his first half, but he isn't going anywhere either.
I would probably pass on a contract for more than one year, even if salary/cap hit at $2.0. Too much mileage on those tires (Vanek is 34 now, turns 35 January 2019). Further, we will need cap space in summer of 2019 to give flexibility to deal with Bob, Panarin, etc... $2.0 doesn't sound like much, but I didn't say sign any one of them, I said flexibility to work deals. If the decision is to trade Bob (not my leaning now), having cap space to take on a F with a significant salary hit in exchange (like a Tavares, etc...) will be just as important as it would be to keep Bob. CBJ will also have a better handle next summer on whether any of the presently not ready kids are ready, whether Dubi has been bought out, whether any other FA's become available. If CBJ can maneuver the cap issues with Bob, Bread, etc...and if Vanek performs well next season, CBJ could offer him another year THEN...it might cost a little more for that year then, but I prefer the flexibility ahead of time over the $1.0M in annual savings we might gain by signing Vanek to a 2-yr deal.