So I was looking at some stats today, and Vanek has been pretty gosh darn good this year.

Already Eclipsed his point totals from the past 3 years (64 being highest); really shown his ability to pass the puck registering 38 assists (2nd highest of his career, 41 being highest in 06-07); and has brough his +/- back to a -1 after being -15 at the all-star break.

What do you guys attribute his success in the second half of the season?

I really think getting away from Stafford and Roy has helped his game. He feels like he's got to be the man on his line, and really has elevated his game back to form of that amazing 84 point season he had.

Personally if I'm Lindy Ruff I'd go to whomever my GM is after this year, and say "Get me a center that doesn't like to handle the puck, and can play along the boards to go with Vanek and Boyes/Pomminville next year.

Vanek is at his best when he's handling the puck, and playing his dynamic style of play, not waiting for a guy to give him a pass to shoot on net.

What are your guys thoughts?

_________________
"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

I think that if he could have remained as injury-free in the last three seasons as he has this season, statistically, you would see that this season is not head and shoulders above the others. Of course I haven't crunched any numbers to prove that.

I don't know, I feel this season he may be a little better, but not by much. He's still quite streakey. His effort level at both ends of the ice may be better, but I think maybe our perception of him in the past has been colored by all the complaining about him we hear.

He does have some playmaking skills. The downside of the role he plays this season is that he seems to think pass first. There were a lot of situations were he passed the puck when he could have taken a shot and we all know that Connolly and Pominville have troubles to "connect" sometimes.

I agree that this is his best season as a first liner and you can see that he takes responsibility on the ice.

Another thing I noticed this year. I've rarely seen any deflection goals by Vanek, not even on the PP.

_________________

The season his jaw was broken by a shot, he was on pace to be in the Rocket Richard race and looked like a beast

BUT this season is Vanek's best in terms of complete play.

_________________
mechaphil

Another fun note on the subject, his PIMs are down by about 12-14 from his normal pace at this point too. Less sloppy stick work, combined with more effort to back check is never a bad thing from your best offensive talent.

_________________
"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

I think being the main guy on the 1st line brings something out in him. I have said it before that if you give this guys the C you would see a mature guy who would flourish. Responsibility seems to bring out the best in him. That being said, he's always been geret and like Phil was saying, injuries (and shitty linemates) have kept him from being the ridiculous super star he could be.

_________________

His best season by far. You can understand my frustration with this guy over the years, making the money that he has and he has not been a complete player. He was benched because of his lack of defensive play, and it took him awhile to adapt.

Fast forward to today and he seems like a much more complete player. The only thing he has to work on now is trying to be a consistent player. Sometimes he'll matter to a great deal in a stretch of 5 games or so, and then drop off the earth for about 10 games.

Basically, in past years he was only effective on the power play, with his 5 on 5 suffering greatly because of his lack of ability to create a goal for himself. Empty nets were the name of the game. The grinders on the team were achieving very similar even strength stats. This year his 5 on 5 is half his game, which is a major improvement.

Now...even though he's not "that type of player" i'd really like to see him stand up for HIMSELF (not even talking others, but that'd be nice) and start a scrum or push back when someone is slapping him in the face with a stick. I'd also like to see him finish of a few of those checks he should be finishing.

We went through a year where Ruff would rarely put Vanek on the ice towards the end of the game if the game were tied because there was a good chance he wasn't going to cover his man. It apparently outweighed his goal scoring ability. Fast forward to this year and he seems to be on the ice quite a bit during those situations.

Let's see if he can be the guy that leads us into the playoffs, and hopefully does not get hurt. (knocked on wood don't worry)

A player that reminds me of a younger Thomas Vanek: Tyler Ennis.

_________________
Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

I think it's handling the puck more often since his assist totals are way up. Hard to pile up assists when you're set up in front of the net all the time.

_________________
Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Absolutely disagree. Tyler Ennis is like a younger Briere.

_________________
mechaphil

tyler ennis plays just like afinogenov used to.

Bit more dangling ability than Briere, I think. But he mostly resembles Briere.

_________________
"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

tyler ennis reminds me of a young tyler ennis

_________________
Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Bingo, except a better passer.

And no boneheaded forced offside.

_________________
mechaphil

afinogenov didn't go offsides all the time when he was young. but yes, his passing was not very existent.

Have you not watched him this year, early in the year, sure, this was true. It seems like every night he is doing something to cause trouble and chaos on the ice, even if he doesn't score or get any points.

Since January 1st, Vanek hasn't gone more than three games in a row without a point.

And this year, Early on he had a 5 game drought, and November into December he had a 7 game drought. Since that 7 game drought ended on the 1st, you see the stats yourself, 41 points.

_________________

I see that Ennis has like Datsuyk qualities just the way he never loses the puck, can score, dangle, and make plays I just get the vibe from him. He is so good.

_________________
The Board Drunk.

Fuck that noise. Like CV said. Ennis is Ennis.

_________________

"Vanek's Best Season" sounds like a movie title or something.

_________________
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo