The Red Wings made a savvy signing in acquiring the former Blues Stanley Cup Champion
The Detroit Red Wings have failed to make the playoffs for the past eight years. This drought followed 25 consecutive years of playoff appearances during which the team clinched four Stanley Cups.
In hopes of getting back into the dance, the team has added some additional firepower to their forward core by signing former St. Louis Blues sniper Vladimir Tarasenko.
Tarasenko, 32, signed a two-year contract worth $4.75 million annually with Detroit. The Russian sniper is coming off a 23-goal, 55-point season split between the Ottawa Senators and the Stanley Cup champs Florida Panthers.
During his time in Ottawa, Vladimir was outperforming a few of the team’s young stars, showcasing he could still provide offense at a consistent rate.
According to Natural Stat Trick, Tarasenko had the highest 5v5 GF% (goals for percentage) at 55.26% amongst Ottawa players who played a minimum of 40 games.
After being traded to Florida at the trade deadline, he fit in immediately with his new team, providing much-needed scoring depth for what the organization hoped would be another trip to the Stanley Cup Final.
As we all saw, Florida’s quest for redemption was successful, winning Game 7 on home ice against the Edmonton Oilers to capture the franchise’s first-ever Stanley Cup.
Tarasenko bounced up and down the Panthers’ top three lines throughout the playoffs, which displayed the versatility he’s added with age in being able to shine playing different roles.
Excluding Florida’s fourth-line players (Steven Lorentz, Nick Cousins, Kevin Stenlund, Kyle Okposo), the ex-Blues forward was on the ice for the least amount of goals at even strength in the playoffs. He was on the ice for 12 goals for and only seven against.
In the postseason, Tarasenko's performance wasn't as impressive as when he won the Cup with St. Louis in 2019. He scored five goals and nine points in 24 games while earning his second Cup ring with the Panthers.
However, he demonstrated a greater willingness to do the less glamorous work that supports a team's success in the playoffs.
In the 2019 playoffs with the Blues, while averaging over 18 minutes a night, Tarasenko recorded 50 hits and only eight shot blocks in 26 games.
Well, in 2024, he recorded four fewer hits (46) but was more committed to blocking shots with 19, accomplishing this while averaging less than 14 minutes a game with the Panthers.
The Detroit Red Wings are hoping that Vladimir Tarasenko can fill the void left by former St. Louis forward David Perron and bring even more to the team. It's fascinating to see how players have moved between St. Louis, Detroit, and Ottawa. Funny enough, Perron has now signed with Ottawa.
Detroit’s issues stem more in the goaltending and defense categories, but the team lost two depth scorers in Perron and Daniel Sprong. So, Steve Yzerman went out and signed the two-time Stanley Cup Champion Tarasenko.