“If I wanted points and goals, I would have signed with the Islanders and had a center like Johnny [Tavares] and a winger like Kyle [Okposo], but I came back here because I thought we had depth and one of the best defenses in the league. Minnesota is special to me and being a former Gopher and winning, I’d like to come back here and contribute to getting a Cup.

“But I knew the goals and points would be harder. They’re not going to be any easier this year just because I feel better. We don’t have maybe the strongest depth in the middle, so I’ll have to find a way again of probably making more plays than shooting and creating chances rather than getting chances.”

-Thomas Vanek of the Minnesota Wild. More on Vanek from Michael Russo of the Star Tribune.