Report: St. Louis Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko still seeking trade
The NHL was caught off guard in July when Vladimir Tarasenko requested a trade from the St. Louis Blues — doubly so when the team left him available in the expansion draft for the Seattle Kraken to take.
While the Kraken ended up taking defenceman Vince Dunn, Tarasenko returned to the Blues organization. In 19 games this year, Tarasenko has scored seven goals and 16 points playing an average of 17:16 every night. He’s still showing he can be a dynamic player.
And now, The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford has reported that Tarasneko’s trade request is still on the table.
There’s been some speculation in recent weeks that Tarasenko might have had a change of heart and that the Blues are aware of that. But that has not been confirmed, and the last word I received from a source with knowledge of the situation was that Tarasenko was standing by the trade request he made last offseason.
Many have suggested that Tarasenko’s early-season success — seven goals and 16 points in 18 games — could persuade him to stay. Another popular belief is that his friendship with new Blues forward Pavel Buchnevich, among other Russian teammates, might convince him to stick around. But again, that is speculation at this point.
The Blues have seemed inclined to keep Tarasenko since his trade request likely because his value to the club exceeds what he could bring back. But has his production this season increased interest? A few sources around the league feel that it has, but perhaps it’s still not enough for Blues general manager Doug Armstrong to consider moving Tarasenko before the trade deadline on March 21 — or even next summer.
His 5-on-5 production is as best as it’s ever been, too. He’s scoring 2.4 points per 60 minutes. Only during the 2014-15 season did Tarasenko score at a higher rate, while just below his career average at time on ice per game.
But interestingly enough, Tarasenko hasn’t found the net on the power play yet this year. He’s playing 2:48 per game with the man advantage and still producing a respectable 5.62 points per 60 minutes there. Tarasenko ranks third on the Blues in time on ice per game on the power play, so it’s not for a lack of opportunity.
Whether it be with the Blues or another club into the future, Tarasenko is showing that his shoulder is healthy and that he’s still a dynamic offensive threat.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.