Minnesota Wild Signs Thomas Vanek
Dobber
2014-07-01
Fantasy Impact: The Minnesota Wild have signed sniper Thomas Vanek to a three-year deal worth $19.5 million ($6.5 per).
The Wild get: a streaky goal scorer capable of scoring 40 goals. In fact, there were several seasons in which he was on a 50-goal pace after 30 games…but then a 20-goal pace after that. Vanek played his college hockey in the area and owns a home there.
Fantasy Players Impacted: Assuming a first line of Mikko Koivu, Zach Parise and Jason Pominville, this really adds a genuine sniper to Mikael Granlund’s second line. Nino Niederreiter will also benefit from the opposite wing. Jason Zucker will probably be the odd man out of the scoring lines. This also puts a (tiny) dent in Erik Haula’s chances of making the team.
As for Vanek himself, he had it pretty good with David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty. Is Granlund/Niederreiter an upgrade? If so, it’s a marginal one, and it’s countered by a slight reduction in PP time.
Fantasy Players this helps, in order:
1. Granlund
2. Niederreiter
3. Charlie Coyle
Fantasy Players this hurts, in order:
1. Zucker
2. Haula
Vanek: