Vladimir Tarasenko Seems No Closer to Signing With a New Club

Vladimir Tarasenko is still a free agent, but as the NHL moves further into the off-season and teams fill out their rosters, what could his next contract look like?

Since changing agents on July 5, UFA Vladimir Tarasenko seems no closer to signing with a new NHL team.

Tarasenko reportedly rejected multiple offers from several clubs believed to be worth between $5.5 million and $6 million per season. Rumors linked him to the Carolina Hurricanes, Nashville Predators, Ottawa Senators and San Jose Sharks. It's believed the 31-year-old right winger's new representatives reached out to those teams to restart contract talks.

On July 15, the New York Post's Ethan Sears suggested Tarasenko might be a good target for the New York Islanders to bolster their scoring. A lack of salary cap space for the Isles, however, would be a significant obstacle. Sears proposed a couple of cost-cutting moves, including a possible trade of center Jean-Gabriel Pageau and his $5-million cap hit.

A week later, Florida Hockey Now's George Richards wondered if the Panthers might take a shot at landing Tarasenko. Given their salary-cap limitations, however, he believes the six-time 30-goal scorer would have to accept a one-year contract worth around $4 million and use that to parlay a bigger contract next summer, perhaps with the Panthers as a suitor.

Tarasenko's problem is that just nine teams currently carry more than $5.5 million in cap space. Several of them, such as the Senators, also have RFAs to sign, which will further deplete their remaining cap dollars.

This situation could reach a point where Tarasenko might not have much choice but to sign a one-year contract for less than those he recently rejected. A strong performance this season would boost his chances for a more lucrative deal under a much higher salary cap next summer.