Vanek: Minnesota 'wasn't a good fit'

Thomas Vanek is looking to start anew with the Detroit Red Wings.

Bought out this summer after signing with the Minnesota Wild in 2014, Vanek believes he can rediscover his offense with the Red Wings.

"I know I can still play the game and score goals," Vanek told Mike Harrington from the Buffalo News. "For me the biggest thing was Minnesota just wasn't a good fit. It is what it is. There's no rhyme or reason for it."

In two seasons with the Wild, Vanek scored 52 and 41 points, respectively, while his production has slid for three straight seasons, down from 1.08 points per game in 2012-13.

He was a healthy scratch on more than one occasion last season, while an upper body injury saw him miss the entire postseason.

"I think being back in the East is going to help me and the way Detroit plays with smaller skilled guys, I think I can get to the front of the net and go to where I'm good at," Vanek added.

The 32-year-old, who debuted with the Buffalo Sabres in 2005-06, has also had stints with the New York Islanders and Montreal Canadiens.

A native of Austria, Vanek is competing with Team Europe at the World Cup, tallying an assist through two games.