More Signs That Vladimir Tarasenko's Days in Ottawa Are Probably Numbered

With the trade deadline now a month away, the Senators' 32-year-old winger is an unrestricted free agent this summer and just switched agents (again).

It's looking increasingly like Vladimir Tarasenko's time in Ottawa may be drawing to a close. The 32-year-old winger has been a good solider for the Senators this season, scoring 13 goals and 33 points in 45 games. That ranks him fifth in club scoring, and his plus-minus (+11) is second only to rookie Ridly Greig, who leads the Sens with a +15.

But how much is that worth to the Senators, who currently pay Tarasenko $5 million on his one-year contract? And how likely is it that Tarasenko has fallen so in love with Ottawa, sitting in 28th place, that he'd be willing to stay, re-sign, and skip the open auction of UFA this summer?

Tarasenko probably wants a chance at one last home run deal, and that notion was further galvanized today with news that Tarasenko had switched agents again.

Craig Oster is well acquainted with the Senators. He's Brady Tkachuk's agent and also his uncle. Oster represents Josh Norris, Erik Brannstrom, Tyler Kleven, Lassi Thomson, and Jiri Smejkal. He also handles the business affairs of former Senators Erik Karlsson, Mark Stone, Robin Lehner, J.G. Pageau, and Max Lajoie.

Naturally, while Tarasenko does have a full no-trade clause, he didn't ask for that because he was 100% against a trade. 

The timing of his agent shuffle today, one month before the deadline, strongly suggests that Tarasenko expects to need top-level representation between now and the deadline. He wouldn't feel that way if he wasn't wide open to hearing trade options next month. 

Meanwhile, the Senators seem lukewarm on signing Tarasenko to an extension. GM Steve Staios admitted two weeks ago that he had not spoken with Tarasenko about a contract for next season. 

"I have not had a conversation with Vladdy," Staios said. "Obviously, with where we are in the standings and him becoming an unrestricted free agent, it's certainly something that, you know, we'll continue to take a look at."

Staios then spoke about how impressed he's been with the player, but everything in the first part of his answer – he hasn't talked to him, he's a UFA, and look at where we are in the standings – seemed to be setting the table for a probable parting of the ways.

If the Sens can make a deal to a market that Tarasenko likes and Oster can get an extension done with the new team, that would likely help boost the Russian winger's price tag.

Speaking of which, last year at the deadline, Tarasenko helped the Blues bring in a good haul. They received a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 fourth-round pick (both conditional), along with winger Sammy Blais and AHL defenceman Hunter Skinner. The Rangers got a rental in Tarasenko and defenceman Niko Mikkola. 

So the price last season at the deadline involved the always coveted first-round pick, and with Tarasenko on pace for 60 points, there's no reason to think it won't once again.