Vanek waiting on Red Wings, considering several NHL options

Thomas Vanek hasn't taken this long to sign because of a lack of opportunities.

The veteran forward said Thursday that he's mulling a few potential NHL destinations, and waiting on the Detroit Red Wings in particular, according to the Star Tribune's Michael Russo.

Vanek, who began last season with the Red Wings before being traded to the Florida Panthers at the deadline, knows he needs to make a decision soon with training camps opening in a couple of weeks.

"I've got to make up my mind sooner than later," he said.

Vanek is arguably the second-best unrestricted free agent still available after Jaromir Jagr, and the 33-year-old winger is aware he hasn't been in a situation like this before.

"This is something I've never been through," Vanek said, per Russo. "Usually I went early, so this is different. After the first week, I knew this would drag."

His goal-scoring last season was nearly on pair with his output from 2015-16, and his point production (48 in 68 games) was better than it the previous season ago while nearly matching the 52 points he put up in 2014-15.

In short, he knows he can still contribute and expects to be on a roster in the fall.

"I've had a good summer. I've prepared myself like I'm going to play, which most likely I am," Vanek said, according to Russo.

His agent, Stephen Bartlett said earlier this week that the Vancouver Canucks are in the mix to sign his client, and last week, the same representative said talks were heating up and he was optimistic something would come through for Vanek "in the next week or two."

Vanek has appeared in 12 NHL seasons, parts of nine of which with the Buffalo Sabres. He played for the New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens and Minnesota Wild before landing in Detroit on July 1, 2016.