NHL Rumors: Jagr, Vanek, Athanasiou, Red Wings and Penguins
The KHL remains an option for Andreas Athanasiou, but it's more likely he re-signs with the Detroit Red Wings
On Jaromir Jagr

NHL.com: Jaromir Jagr’s agent a few days ago.

“I am working around the clock and will get something done,” Petr Svoboda told News 1130 in Vancouver.

Elliotte Friedman reported that the Calgary Flames have “kind of looked at” Jagr. Flames coach Glen Gulutzan coached Jagr in 2012-13 when they were with the Dallas Stars.

Friedman added that Jagr could start the season in Europe and then come back over later in the year.

On Thomas Vanek

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: It is believed that the Vancouver Canucks are looking at free agent winger Tomas Vanek.

On the Detroit Red Wings …

Ansar Khan of MLive: (mailbag) believes there is a chance that unsigned RFA Andreas Athanasiou could sign in the KHL, but it’s more likely that he’ll sign with the Red Wings before the start of training camp. Athanasiou could get more money in the KHL than what the Red Wings will offer – guessing between $1.5 and $2 million for two years from the Red Wings – but it still may not be worth it for him.

Athanasiou may be happy with three years at $3 million a season, but it’s doubtful the Red Wings would offer him that much.

If Athanasiou did leave, the Red Wings would need to add more scoring and could look at the free agent market. Thomas Vanek would be an option on a one-year deal, but he is reportedly looking for a two-year deal. The Wings would still need to create salary cap space by making a trade or putting someone on waivers.

Doubtful the Pittsburgh Penguins would be interested in centers Frans Nielsen or Darren Helm as they have too much term and money left on their deals. Nielsen has five years left at $5.25 million per and Helm has four years at $3.85 million per.

doesn’t believe the Red Wings would be interested in re-signing Drew Miller for a fourth-line role. They will hope that someone like Tyler Bertuzzi steps in, with Luke Witkowski, Ben Street or Matt Lorito as options.