Wild sign F Thomas Vanek: 'My top priority was to sign here'

The Minnesota Wild signed Thomas Vanek to a three-year, $19.5 million contract Tuesday and it appears as though there were no other suitors Vanek was entertaining.

He told reporters, "My top priority was to sign here."

General manager Chuck Fletcher told media, "Thomas is an elite offensive talent who showed a strong desire to play in Minnesota. We are excited to welcome him to our organization."

As teammates on the Buffalo Sabres, Vanek and Jason Pominville will be reunited. Pominville spoke to media about the acquisition:

He's always a threat when he has the puck, and when he doesn't have the puck, he always finds ways to get himself available. He would step in and help our power play right away. As a net-front presence, he’s always there with screens and always finds a way to get his stick on the puck. He’s so good at tipping pucks, it’s crazy.

Vanek scored 68 points in 78 games played split between the Sabres, New York Islanders, and Montreal Canadiens.