Fantasy Take: Thomas Vanek joins Canucks
Neil Parker
2017-09-01
Thomas Vanek signed a one-year, $2 million pact with Vancouver on Friday.
The 33-year-old winger is coming off a respectable campaign with 17 goals and 48 points through 68 games. Obviously, injuries cut into his production, but Vanek posted a high-end 2.81 points per 60 minutes at five-on-five while with Detroit. Those even-strength numbers are an indicator that the veteran can still move the offensive needle.
He projects to slot into a top-six role with the Canucks, and he should see enough power-play time to provide supporting fantasy results in deeper settings. The juicy spot in Vancouver has been alongside Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin in the past, but Vanek isn't a legitimate fit with the two Swedes entering 2017-18. However, where Vanek slides into the lineup is completely up in the air. Bo Horvat, Loui Eriksson and potentially Sam Gagner check out as the other veterans capable of slotting into scoring-line roles, and the question marks are whether Vancouver's youngsters can carve out jobs to push the mediocre veteran talent down the depth chart.
Fantasy Breakdown
The addition of Vanek hurts the fantasy stocks of Brock Boeser and Sven Baertschi, and Sam Gagner could also be impacted. While Vanek's 2016-17 showing proved he can still be a serviceable secondary scorer, it wouldn't be shocking if he failed to repeat last season's excellent five-on-five production.
Vanek doesn't project to boost the fantasy upside of any of his new teammates. In fact, it's another questionable acquisition considering the Canucks just added another mediocre talent in his mid-30s. In most settings, Vanek is a fringe option with the potential to provide modest offensive numbers with little peripheral contributions.
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*facepalm. A pick at the trade deadline, I guess.
Vanek along with the additions of Gagner, Del Zotto & Burmistrov gives Vancouver a far better roster than they iced last season & a ton of options. Gagner, Burmistrov & Sutter can all play C or RW, LW or RW respectively providing great depth at C should injuries hit.
This added depth also will significantly improve Vancouver’s power play unit, specificly the 2nd unit as well as over all goal scoring at 5 on 5. I think Vancouver will surprise this season. They aren’t a playoff team but if their goaltending can hold up they will be in the hunt. If they are out of it at the trade deadline Vanek will be flipped for a decent pick, I would assume a 2nd & possibly a low end prospect.
This is a decent roster, far better than last season & they won’t have Desjardins making bad personal decissions. His coaching tenure in Vancouver was brutal.
Baertschi, Horvat, Boeser.
Sedin, Sedin, Eriksson.
Granlund, Sutter, Vanek.
Burmistrov, Gagner, Dorsett.
Spare. Gaunce or Chaput.
4 borderline forwards will need to be waived, Boucher, Magna, Rodin & 1 of Gaunce or Chaput.
Edler, Stetcher.
Hutton, Tanev.
Del Zotto, Gubranson.
Wiercioch, Biega.
Markstrom Nilsson.
The only downside of Vanek’s signing in the short term is it buries Goldobin, being waiver exempt he will be going down to Utica now as no room for him unless he steals someone’s job. There’s always room at the top if you steal it.
Love the optimism. However, I just see it as a rag tag group. Everything would have to sinc perfectly: one of Markstrom/Nilsson becomes a legit #1, Horvat takes the next huge step, Boeser wins the Calder, Sedins bounce back to 50+ point players, Eriksson delivers on his contract, Del Zotto becomes a legit PP QB, Gagner gets 7 points per game (hey…it happened)etc, etc. Nevermind a rockin’ start (much like last year) under a new coach? *cringe. As a Canuck fan, I hope I’m eating my words but I’d be surprised if they were sniffing around a wild card spot at Christmas.
In saying that, and in spite of myself, I can’t help but continue giving Benning the benefit of the doubt. It’s so weird. As mentioned in another post, he seems to want to avoid a ‘losing’ atmosphere by keeping the team relatively competitive, while having confidence in his and his scouting staff’s ability to snag the quality picks in the 5-15 slot (the new lottery system helps, too, as any Canuck, Colorado, Arizona, Philly, Dallas, NJ fan can attest). Benning’s certainly bucking the system, and I’m willing to see it through for another couple years. Perhaps only because I’m curious.
I don’t believe all those things need to happen.
Horvat will be better, as will Baertschi, Granlund, Hutton & Stetcher. These 5 young players are just scratching the surface of their potential & all have huge growth especially offensively at the NHL level.
Boeser doesn’t need to win the Calder just score 15 to 20 goals & 40 to 45 points. The Sedin’s will bounce back, why Desjardins wouldn’t play Eriksson with them made no sense, either he or Vanek will play with them this season & both should be 60+ point players next season if healthy enough to play 75 games.
Del Zotto will be lucky to see power play time in Vancouver. Edler, Stetcher & Hutton are the top 3 PP options at D & even Tanev will see some. Best cast scenario Del Zotto see’s 4th D PP TOI/GP but for all skaters won’t make the top 12 never mind top 10.
Goaltending is cause for concern but Vancouver’s D is solid & can cover for average goaltending. Markstrom is the #1 but his job isn’t secure. I see more of a 2 goalie rotation with Markstrom if healthy getting nominally more starts but Nilsson could steal starts & potentially his job if he falters.