by Christopher Nardella, Staff Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine

MONTREAL, QC. — With the primary opportunity to sign unencumbered NHL players having achieved some success by the Canadiens, one can wonder whether a former Hab would have been a positive fit in Montreal? When the team acquired Thomas Vanek at the 2013-’14 trade deadline in exchange for Sebastien Colberg and a second round pick, there was some success with Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais, followed by utter failure in the latter stages of the postseason. Upwards of two years later, with the tide shifting in a different direction throughout the organization, the return and success of the Austrian sniper would’ve been to anybody’s conjecture.

For many a season in Montreal, the team has been subject to glaring and conspicuous deficiencies in their top six. Of which, one has been plugged through the signing of Alex Radulov. However, with Thomas Vanek being bought out and an opportunity to choose his fate, Montreal, along with the Islanders, seemed like a natural connection to make. His signing in Detroit didn’t come out of left field, what with the team’s superfluity of cap space, a move more palatable for the Wings rather than the salary cap moves Bergevin would’ve had to make to land the free agent.

Unfortunately for Vanek, who noted publicly that he wouldn’t be opposed to a return to Montreal, he sits in the cross-section of what the team doesn’t want. An obvious point of contention with the Canadiens management group has been to become more rugged, an area in which Vanek probably excels the least. Also, the tireless and annoying narrative of a copycat league implies that the Canadiens should be becoming quicker. Although I’m not entirely sure that’s been done this offseason, there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that Vanek inhibits the team’s ability to be perceived as fast. Despite his inefficiencies that have been outlined, there’s one thing Vanek can do, and that’s create offence, to a certain extent.

The Minnesota Wild bought out the remaining year of Vanek’s three-year $6.5 million AAV contract this past week. In those two years he spent as a member of the organization, the Austrian scored an average of 19 goals per season, averaging 46 points per season. For $6.5 million those statistics aren’t entirely porous, however in a western conference which physically demanding in terms of effort and physicality, Vanek was an outlier. According to behindthenet.ca, the winger’s possession statistics weren’t entirely backing his cause as well.

During his first season in the “State of Hockey”, his Relative Corsi, a statistic that measures the ability to drive possession relative to your teammates, was among the worst on the Wild. At -7.4, his Relative Corsi was just supplanting Jordan Leopold for 21st worst on the team. Whether due to a smaller sample size, decreased teammate productivity or personal improvement, Vanek’s Relative Corsi increased, however remained in the negative. This past season rounded out at -2.0 in the 74 games he spent donning the uniform of the Minnesota Wild. Players completely antithetical to Vanek were given major opportunities last season, and may prove to become better options.

Daniel Carr and Sven Andrighetto are only a pair of many who wore the Canadiens sweater last season and are looking for an extended look in training camp. Although Andrighetto displayed flashes while on the top line with Galchenyuk and Pacioretty, Carr was the true revelation last season. His unremitting work ethic and ability to drive the net provide the Canadiens with a third player of this ilk, presumably having one on each of the team’s top three lines. Having Vanek on that line would inhibit Radulov and Plekanec’s ability to create off the rush, with Vanek’s usually stationary style providing more pressure for his linemates.

With the presumption Andrew Shaw will start the season on the third line and the Canadiens make no more moves, Carr would be an ideal candidate to lineup with Plekanec and Radulov. More so than Vanek because Carr opens up space and drags the defenceman towards the net for the hyper-talented Radulov to create scoring chances with Plekanec providing support. There’s also the prospect of lining up either Artturi Lehkonen or Martin Reway alongside the pair of veterans, with Lehkonen being the clear competition with Carr to win that spot on the roster. With the uncertainty surrounding Jacob De La Rose both might be in the lineup and made interchangeable.

Thomas Vanek’s time as a member of the Canadiens organization was short-lived with spurts of success and a sour taste in most Canadiens fans’ mouths. With no shortage of options throughout the system, the Canadiens have already addressed their need for offensive dynamism. With the NHL’s pendulum going towards another direction, and the Canadiens having those assets in their system, the hypothetical acquisition of Thomas Vanek would’ve been a waste of what remaining salary the Canadiens had available. Although the move would’ve been as aggressive with the goal of a Stanley Cup in mind, it was a move that was subsequently beneficial to the future success of the team.