Report: Canadiens’ Vanek to test free agency

Thomas Vanek was signed by xxxxx (Paul Chiasson/CP).

Montreal Canadiens forward Thomas Vanek will test free agency on July 1, according to TVA’s Renaud Lavoie.

However, Lavoie added that Vanek, a pending unrestricted free agent, hasn’t ruled out a return to the Habs.

The 30-year-old joined Montreal at the trade deadline from the New York Islanders and had six goals and nine assists in 18 regular season games with the club. Vanek added five goals and five assists in 17 playoff games but was criticized for disappearing during the Eastern Conference final.

Vanek split the 2013-14 campaign between the Buffalo Sabres, Islanders and Canadiens and altogether had 27 goals and 41 assists for 68 points in the final season of a seven-year, $50 million contract.

Vanek has scored 277 goals and earned 279 assists in 663 career NHL regular season games.

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