Thomas Vanek traded to Panthers: report

Forward Thomas Vanek was traded to the Florida Panthers by the Detroit Red Wings for defenseman Dylan McIlrath and a third-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, TSN reported Wednesday.

Vanek signed a one-year, $2.6 million contract with the Red Wings on July 1, 2016. The Minnesota Wild bought out the final season of Vanek's three-year, $19.5 million contract on June 24, 2016.

"It was a good fit and I really enjoyed my time there," Vanek said of Detroit on Sportsnet Wednesday. "I'm excited to go to Florida and help those guys make a push. I think after I left Minnesota, I talked to a few teams and I wanted to go somewhere were the team felt like they could still see my game as I see my game. Obviously I know I'm not the fastest player but I feel like I can read the game really well and make players around me better."

The 33-year-old led Detroit with 15 goals, and has 23 assists for 38 points in 48 games this season and now will get to play with one of his idols, Jaromir Jagr.

"I've met him in passing," Vanek said. "Him and Mario [Lemieux] were my idols growing up so to be on a team with [Jagr] will be amazing for me. I was a little kid in Austria and a big Penguins fan so I was watching those guys. To be on the same team with him will be fun."

A two-time 40-goal scorer, Vanek has 687 points (331 goals, 356 assists) in 865 regular-season games during 12 seasons with the Red Wings, Wild, Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders and Montreal Canadiens. He has 34 points (20 goals, 14 assists) in 63 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

The Sabres selected Vanek with the No. 5 pick in the 2003 NHL Draft.

Panthers Recall Defenseman Dylan McIlrath

SUNRISE, Fla. - Florida Panthers President of Hockey Operations Dale Tallon announced today that the Panthers have recalled defenseman Dylan McIlrath from his conditioning assignment with the club's American Hockey League affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL).

McIlrath, 24, recorded two points (1-1-2) through his six games with Springfield. This season with the Panthers, McIlrath has recorded one goal in four games.

The 6-foot-5, 236-pound, native of Winnipeg, Manitoba has recorded five points (3-2-5) in 42 NHL games with the Panthers (2016-17) and New York Rangers (2013-16). He was originally selected by the New York Rangers in the first round (10th overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft.

The Florida Panthers return from their four-game road trip to begin a four-game homestand beginning on Jan. 26 (7:30 P.M.), against their intrastate rivals, the Tampa Bay Lightning.

- Florida Panthers

NHL TRADE TALK: McIlrath in a Jets uniform? Larry Brooks thinks it may happen

Special report by @GucciardoJoey

Dylan McIlrath (Getty Images)

The NHL trade deadline on February 29 is nearing, and the New York Rangers are causing rumor activity among trades.

At least Larry Brooks of the New York Post makes it seem that way.

Brooks thinks that the Jets would be willing to take some combination of J.T. Miller, Pavel Buchnevich (who currently plays in the KHL in Russia), a first-round pick and Dylan McIlrath off of the the Rangers hands in return for "high-end rental property". 

Brooks thinks that Rangers GM Jeff Gorton has no choice but to recover some assets and trade pending UFA defenseman Keith Yandle. He also thinks that the Rangers can’t afford to lose Yandle for nothing, who in case you haven't noticed has been the topic of many trade rumors and talks since it was noticed that he would be a free agent when this season ends.

This trade would seem possible, but after the recent injury to Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh on Sunday, and with no timetable on his return, the Rangers should not even think about trading McIlrath, who has been playing fairly well this season.

Not only should the Rangers not trade McIlrath due to the fact that the Rangers need all of the defensive power they can get at this point in the season, but they should not trade Miller because he is playing very well and is progressing at an amazing rate, nor should they trade Pavel Buchnevich because he may turn into a great future prospect when he is ready to play in the NHL.