Vladimir Tarasenko

Lore & Background

Tarasenko began his professional career with Sibir Novosibirsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in 2008–09, scoring seven goals and ten points in 38 games and finishing runner-up for KHL Rookie of the Year. He played three seasons with Novosibirsk before being traded to SKA Saint Petersburg in 2012. After the 2012–13 NHL lockout, he joined the St. Louis Blues and scored his first two NHL goals on his first two shots in his debut against Jimmy Howard of the Detroit Red Wings. He became one of the franchise's leading scorers, recording at least 30 goals in five consecutive seasons from 2014–15 through 2018–19, a feat matched only by Alexander Ovechkin among Russian players during that span. Tarasenko signed an eight-year, $60 million contract with St. Louis in July 2015. He underwent three shoulder surgeries between 2018 and 2020, and in July 2021 requested a trade due to dissatisfaction with the club's handling of those surgeries. Despite the request, he remained with the Blues for the 2021–22 season, setting career highs in assists (48) and points (82).

Reader's Guide

Tarasenko's legacy is defined by his elite goal-scoring ability, particularly his accurate and unique wrist shot, which made him one of the NHL's most dangerous scorers during his prime. He was a central figure in the St. Louis Blues' first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history in 2019, leading the team with 11 playoff goals. His tenure with the Blues spanned parts of 11 seasons, during which he became one of the franchise's all-time leading scorers and a three-time NHL All-Star. After requesting a trade in 2021, he was dealt to the New York Rangers in February 2023, then signed with the Ottawa Senators as a free agent in July 2023. He later joined the Florida Panthers and won his second Stanley Cup in 2024. Tarasenko's career illustrates both sustained offensive production and the complexities of player-team relationships in the modern NHL, as his trade request and subsequent moves highlighted tensions between personal health concerns and organizational decisions.

Did You Know?

• He was the runner-up for KHL Rookie of the Year in the league's inaugural season (2008–09).
• He scored a penalty-shot goal in the 2019 Western Conference Final, the first in Blues playoff history.
• Tarasenko recorded his 600th career point on 12 January 2024 against the Buffalo Sabres.