Photo by Andrew Knapik/MiHockey

Red Wings bring back Thomas Vanek with one-year deal


By @StefanKubus –

As the calendar turns the page on June, it means July 1 is here.

Or as those in the hockey world would say, free agent frenzy is upon us.

The Red Wings have made a move to bolster its offense, as the team has brought back veteran Thomas Vanek with a one-year deal.



After bouncing around between Columbus, Vancouver and Florida the past two seasons, Vanek is back in Detroit, where he posted 15 goals and 38 points in 48 games before being dealt to the Panthers at the 2017 trade deadline.

In 965 career games with Buffalo, Montreal, the New York Islanders, Minnesota, Columbus, Vancouver, Florida and Detroit, Vanek has amassed 357 goals and 753 points.

Effectively, the move means there’s likely just one forward spot available for regular playing time.