An injection of offence topped the off-season wish list.

The Detroit Red Wings ranked a disheartening 23rd in attack through the 2015-16 season with 209 goals and were the lowest-scoring franchise to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Hoping to add some punch, the Red Wings signed Vanek to a one-year contract. A two-time 40-goal scorer with the Buffalo Sabres, Vanek had 254 goals and 497 points with the Sabres, including 43 goals and 84 points in just his second season.

A slew of personal accolades followed suit, most notably the Plus-Minus Award (a staggering plus-47) and the left wing slot on the NHL's Second All-Star Team in 2006-07. Two years later he scored 40 goals, half of which came on the power play to lead the League. At that point it was clear the 6-foot-2, 214-pound Austrian was something special.

Two seasons playing college hockey for Minnesota had started the talk. Vanek's freshman season produced 31 goals and 62 points (good for seventh in the nation), a national championship and selection as the tournament's outstanding player. Vanek scored the second goal as Minnesota defeated New Hampshire 5-1 in the title game.

Following his freshman season, the Sabres selected Vanek with the No. 5 pick in the 2003 NHL Draft.

After eight-plus years with Buffalo, Vanek was traded to the New York Islanders on Oct. 29, 2013, but Long Island didn't suit him, and after turning down a contract offer he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens on March 5, 2014.

Although he scored five goals and 10 points in 17 Stanley Cup Playoff games, the Canadiens allowed Vanek to become a free agent, and he signed a three-year contract with the Minnesota Wild on July 1, 2014.

Over two seasons with the Wild, Vanek scored 39 goals and 93 points, but facing salary cap issues, the Wild bought out the final year of Vanek's contract, which triggered the Detroit move.