Montreal Canadiens left wing Thomas Vanek takes part in the team's practice Wednesday, May 21, 2014 in Brossard, Quebec. The Canadiens play the New York Rangers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Thursday in New York. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Ryan Remiorz)

In Game 2 against the Boston Bruins, Thomas Vanek came to life, scoring two goals and wiping away concerns about his play after four straight games without one.

In Game 6 against the Boston Bruins, Thomas Vanek came to life, scoring two goals and wiping away concerns about his play after three straight games without one.

In Game 3 against the New York Rangers … well, we’ll see.

He’s gone three games without a goal, or a point for that matter, skating to a minus-3. His ice time dropped to a playoffs-low 11:41 in Game 2. Coach Michel Therrien then dropped him to the fourth line in practice, skating in a rotation with teammates like Danny Briere.

"In the Boston series, after the first [game] people started getting on him and he had a big game where he scored a couple goals," Briere said. "That's Thomas Vanek -- he can be dangerous at any time, he can come out and hurt you and make a big play. I'm not too worried about him. He seems to get it done when you least expect it."

Well, yeah, that’s the sunny side of Thomas Vanek, owner of hockey's most bipolar offense. He’s also the Adam Dunn of the NHL, one putting one over the fence for every six strikeouts.

That streakiness has defined him but it hasn’t ever crashed his stock, mainly because his highs are so high: Like that 20 points in 19 games for the Islanders from Dec. 20, 2013, through Jan. 25, 2014.

Also high: His salary. Vanek makes $7,142,857 against the cap (thanks Kevin Lowe) and is expected to be seeking as much (depending on term) when he hits the market as an unrestricted free agent this summer.

It used to be that “hits the market” meant “signs with the Minnesota Wild," as a prodigal son (well, at least for college) returns.

But like Vanek’s offense, things can change in an instant. Consider what’s happened to the principals in the last two months:

1. Minnesota Proved It Might Not Need Him

The Wild produced a respectable 2.69 goals per game in the playoffs, totally eclipsing the anemic 1.40 GPG they had in five games under Mike Yeo in the 2013 playoffs. Twenty-eight of their 35 goals came from forwards.

What the Wild learned in the playoffs: The future is bright. Mikael Granlund (22), Charlie Coyle (22), Erik Huala (23) and Nino Niederreiter (21) all landed in the top six goal scorers on the team.

The problem was on the blue line and in goal. As Mick Hatten wrote, in bemoaning a Vanek signing: “It feels like there’s a need for another solid all-around defenseman who can move the puck for the Wild. Call me crazy, but that’s where I’d spend my money in free agency.”

Could they use Vanek’s offense? Any team could. But at what cost to other areas of need, and at what cost to the continued maturation of young offensive stars?

2. Vanek’s Stock Has, in Fact, Dropped

Perhaps the streakiness plays betting in a one-newspaper town like Buffalo or in Long Island obscurity. In Montreal, Vanek is being fitted for goat horns due to his inconsistent play; and more than a few pundits have called him out for having his mind on the money and Minnesota.

Gazette columnist Jack Todd wondered if Vanek was “suffering from a sprained Minnesota and a broken Wild” after Game 2.

Meanwhile, the venerable Eric Duhatschek writes:

When times were good in Montreal, there was some talk that the Canadiens might actually consider bidding for Vanek in free agency. Now, it seems highly unlikely, given what a negligible impact he’s had on their run to the semi-finals. But will Minnesota welcome him now, after making inquiries at the deadline, but ultimately settling for Matt Moulson, because the acquisition cost and the dollars out were more affordable? Moulson wasn’t a great fit in Minnesota and the New York Islanders would do well to try and kiss and make up, after dealing him for Vanek in the first place. Minnesota has the great good fortune of having Dany Heatley’s $7-million cap hit disappear after this season, but committing that money to Vanek, a player of questionable playoff pedigree, seems ill-advised at this stage. The Wild seem to have a good thing going, with the group they’ve assembled now. Sitting out free agency this summer makes the most sense for them.

That “good thing going” could be read a few ways, and one of them is that Vanek might not be the guy you want in that room as a leader of young players.

Story continues