Slumping Thomas Vanek has no regrets at leaving Isles

Thomas Vanek hasn't exactly kicked off his Wild career in style. You could say the former Islander, who turned down Garth Snow's three-year, $21-million offer to take the same term for $19.5 million with Minnesota on July 1, has had about as unpleasant a first 25 games as a big-time scorer could have.

But Vanek, who scored the tying goal in the Wild's 5-4 victory last night, said there are no regrets. Not for turning down the $50 million over seven years Snow offered him in January, either. "No, you can't play that game," Vanek said. "I've said it before: I really loved my time with the Isles."

Vanek has been publicly tied to an illegal bookmaking case in Rochester, New York, that dates to his time with the Islanders. Reports say he endorsed more than a paycheck from the Islanders to cover gambling losses.

That, in addition to scoring only two goals entering Tuesday night has the spotlight on Vanek for the wrong reasons.

"Once it didn't work out with the Isles I knew I was getting moved but as far as confidence, that was probably the best stretch I had in a while with the Isles," he said. "I don't think that has anything to do with now."

Nino on a roll

Another former Islander, Nino Niederreiter, who scored the winning goal last night, leads the Wild with 12 goals. His confidence has been brimming ever since he scored the double-overtime Game 7 winner to beat Colorado in last season's playoffs.Niederreiter said he holds on to some of the things he learned over two seasons in the Isles' system. "The year in Bridgeport helped me to get my confidence going on offense," he said.