Forward Thomas Vanek signed a three-year, $19.5 million deal with the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday.
Last season was a whirlwind for Vanek, who was traded twice, from the Buffalo Sabres to the New York Islanders and then to the Montreal Canadiens, where he finished the season. The Islanders dealt Vanek to Montreal when he rejected their contract offer.
Vanek was considered one of the top scorers available in free agency this year. He finished the season with a combied 27 goals and 41 assists in 78 regular-season games and added five goals and five assists in 17 playoff games.
Going to the Wild is a homecoming of sorts for Vanek, who played on a national championship team in college at Minnesota. He has 277 goals and 556 points in 11 NHL seasons with the Sabres, Islanders and Canadiens.
