Thomas Vanek brought unique offensive attributes to Detroit in 2016-17, along with the third-round draft choice he fetched when the Red Wings traded him to the Florida Panthers at the deadline. On Saturday, The Athletic’s Craig Custance reported that the lines of communication between the Red Wings and Vanek’s camp remain open about a possible return.



Even besides the salary cap issues that make a Vanek return a challenge, should the Red Wings give him a short-term deal for 2017-18?



Probably not.



With regards to the upsides and downsides to the veteran winger’s game, an NHL scout had this to say recently about Vanek on ESPN.com:



“I think he has a really good shot. He’s a very good passer in close, in close quarters around the net. He’s good around the net, he has a good stick. I just think he’s lazy,” the Eastern Conference scout said. “I don’t think he has a work ethic. I...