Report: Widespread belief that Thomas Vanek is bound for free-agency limiting interest

While Thomas Vanek is one of the NHL's premier snipers and would be a helpful addition for a playoff bound team that struggles offensively, interest around the league is reportedly "cool."

"There doesn’t seem to be a huge appetite among the contenders to pay GM Garth Snow's asking price," ESPN's Craig Custance reported on Wednesday morning (subscription). "Teams considering acquiring him aren’t optimistic that it will give them any advantage when it comes to re-signing him."

Added Custance: 

"He’s earned the right to test free agency and not only that, there’s a belief at least among teams that he has a destination in mind. One NHL source said he completely expects that Vanek signs with Minnesota in the offseason. "And everybody knows it.""

Vanek won a National Championship with the Minnesota Golden Gophers and remains close friends with Wild winger and former Sabres teammate Jason Pominville. He's also talking like a man determined to test the open market and so so is his agent. 

Earlier this week, Vanek addressed his decision to turn down a lucrative contract extension offer from the Islanders earlier this season. "It just came to a point where I felt, 'OK, I want to test the free agent market, most likely," Vanek told NHL.com.