Montreal Canadiens should consider bringing this player back

The Montreal Canadiens are going all in this spring for a Stanley Cup playoff run. Instead of mortgaging the future by trading away picks and prospects, the Habs should choose a cheaper route and consider bringing back a former talented winger.

Thomas Vanek was acquired by the Montreal Canadiens from the New York Islanders back in 2014 before their playoff run. Vanek was criticized by fans and analysts for being too soft and not performing well when the Habs faced the Rangers in the Conference Finals, although Vanek was productive in the Habs first two playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins.

The Canadiens opted not to resign Vanek in the off season, and Vanek signed with the Minnesota Wild before being bought out shortly after in 2016, making the 6'2'' Austrian winger a free agent. He is currently producing well with the Detroit Red Wings. The thought in Montreal is they need a number two center but with the rise of Phillip Danault that may not be the case anymore. Can you imagine a Vanek - Galchenyuk - Radulov line?

Forward Depth Chart
Vanek - Galchenyuk - Radulov
Pacioretty - Danault - Gallagher
Lehkonen - Plekanec - Shaw
Byron - Mitchell - McCarron

Vanek should only cost a second round pick at the trade deadline. It might be wise to acquire Vanek, instead of trading prospects such as Mikhail Sergachev and Noah Juulsen to acquire a player such as Gabriel Landeskog. Who do you feel the Habs should target?