The Detroit Red Wings have been veteran-laden over the past couple of decades,
and they added another one when they brought back Thomas Vanek on July 1.

It was a frustrating move for many fans, as two top-10 draft picks in Michael
Rasmussen and Filip Zadina appear ready to earn roster spots out of
camp.Related - The Grind Line: Red Wings' Next Great Rookie

Adding Vanek was viewed as just another piece of lumber in the logjam of NHL
forwards already under contract. But the importance of the veteran grows larger
 with each additional comment toward Henrik Zetterberg's unlikelihood of
playing in 2018-19.Thomas Vanek (Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports)Veterans in
Detroit

The loss of Zetterberg should not be undersold; as the team captain since 2012,
 he's been an important piece for the Red Wings both on and off the ice. The
locker room will miss his unquestionable dedication to the game and his team,
leaving a big hole as young players such as Rasmussen and Zadina transition to
the NHL.

Veterans are an important part in the development of youth. They help alleviate
 the growing pains associated with the NHL, including the daily grind,
dedication, and details along the way.

They also motivate and share wisdom in regards to opponents, systems, vision,
and just about everything else.

Zetterberg's "departure" hasn't been sprung on Hockeytown-comments have been
dropped all summer by management, coach Jeff Blashill, and current players-but
it still leaves the team without one of its best players and one of the
longest-tenured captains in the NHL.Zetterberg was named team captain in 2012,
taking over after the retirement of Nicklas Lidstrom (Photo by Andy Martin Jr.)

It's also fair to assume Ken Holland was made aware of Zetterberg's unlikely
return months ago and was possibly a large factor in bringing Vanek back to
Detroit.

Without Vanek, Frans Nielsen, Justin Abdelkader, and Darren Helm would be the
only Red Wings forwards to have played in at least six NHL seasons. While they
all bring a certain style to the team, none offer a consistent offensive
threat, which wouldn't help offset the learning curve for Rasmussen and Zadina.

Vanek, who possesses a keen offensive instinct, is exactly the type of player
Rasmussen and Zadina can learn from. He's set to hit the thousand-game
milestone this season and has amassed 753 points (357 goals, 396 assists) in
his career.

Ignoring the shortcomings of his two-way game, the 34-year-old still offers a
lot in the offensive zone and can help instill his knowledge on the Red Wings'
promising youth.Vanek's Vitality

Vanek made his Red Wings debut in 2016-17 when he signed a low-risk,
high-reward deal with Detroit after two disappointing seasons with the
Minnesota Wild.

The once-high-powered scorer was eager to prove he still had offense to add,
and he did just that in Detroit. The Austrian scored 15 goals and 38 points in
48 games with the Red Wings as a predominantly third-line winger, spending the
bulk of his time with Frans Nielsen and Andreas Athanasiou.

The trio blended well with positive possession stats. Vanek was especially
successful with the then-22-year-old Athanasiou and was attached to 11 of
Athanasiou's 21 points scored before being dealt at the trade
deadline.Athanasiou could be in for a breakout year, and rediscovering his
chemistry with Vanek might be just what he needs. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey
Writers)

With Blashill announcing he anticipates playing Athanasiou as the third-line
center, they should find themselves reunited to start the season.Should Zadina
make the team, odds are he would do so in a top-six role. Rasmussen, as a
natural center, could prove to be a better option than Athanasiou on the third
line.Related: Red Wings Forwards: Who's on the Bubble?

While rookie centers don't usually offer much consistency in winning draws or
strong two-way play, Blashill could opt to let him learn on the fly in a season
 where the team's expectations are the lowest since the 1980s.

Not only would Rasmussen be playing firsthand with Vanek, he'd also face weaker
 talent each night and be in a better and quicker position to fulfill the
organization's sky-high expectations of him.

With training camp just over a week away, fans won't have to wait long to see
these players in preseason action and get a better feel for the roster on
opening night.

The post Vanek Is a Vital Veteran for Red Wings appeared first on The Hockey
Writers.

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