NHL Trade Rumors: 3 teams who should trade for Vladimir Tarasenko

According to the latest NHL trade rumors, the St. Louis Blues are willing to entertain offers for star forward Vladimir Tarasenko. If this is true, these three teams would be the best fits for the dynamic scorer. 

The St. Louis Blues came into this season with a lot of hope. This hope quickly turned into woe, as the team currently finds themselves close to the bottom of the standings. Only the Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings are keeping them from rock bottom. According to the latest NHL trade rumors, the team willing to listen to trade offers for anyone. This includes star forward Vladimir Tarasenko.

If the dynamic Russian wing is actually available, teams need to take advantage. It’s rare for a player of Tarasenko’s caliber to be available at such a young age. He’s only 27 years old and has four consecutive seasons with at least 30 goals. Tarasenko is merely three seasons removed from scoring 40 goals. Since the start of the 2014-15 season, the only player with more goals than him is Alex Ovechkin.

Though he has never put up a point per game over a full season, he’s come darn close. In each of his past four seasons, Tarasenko has at least 0.80 points per game. He had at least 0.90 points per game in three of those four seasons. Tarasenko’s contract sounds expensive, but considering he’s a top-notch goal scorer, his $7.5 million cap hit over the next four seasons is pretty reasonable.

Even in an “off year” on a team heading off a cliff with two coaches known to stifle offense, he’s still on pace for about 55 points. Which, for most players, would be a solid season. That 55 points would be such a huge disappointment for Tarasenko is a testament to how consistently great he has been throughout his career.

So, why are the Blues trying to trade him? Maybe they’re worried about his decline (though that could be due to having Mike Yeo and Craig Berube as his head coaches). Perhaps the Blues don’t think they’ll be competitive before his contract runs out.

However, the biggest reason is most likely Tarasenko’s contract. The cap hit and term are both fine. But on July 1, 2019, Tarasenko gets a full no-trade clause. If the Blues are going to trade him, they better do it by then or he’ll earn the right to be able to choose where he goes. Which would significantly lessen the return the Blues would get for him.

It’s hard to gauge what kind of return St. Louis could get for Tarasenko. But, ironically, the Ryan O’Reilly trade sets the floor. And it’s a pretty high one – a first-round pick, a very good prospect, and a second-round pick (plus some salary cap dumps). However, Tarasenko’s more valuable than O’Reilly.

With all of this in mind, here are the three teams who should be calling St. Louis about Tarasenko. But first, some honorable mentions.

Honorable Mentions

Here are some teams to keep an eye on. They aren’t the most likely to acquire Tarasenko, but they’ve still got a pretty good shot.

New York Rangers

One thing would need to happen for the New York Rangers to get Tarasenko. They’d have to sign Artemi Panarin (the reverse might be true as well). It’s no secret Panarin desires to play for the Rangers. Another thing that isn’t a secret is the friendship between Tarasenko and him.

This would have to happen after July 1, 2019. Armed with a no-movement clause, Tarasenko could basically get to choose where he plays. That might well be on the Rangers if they sign his friend. It might sound like a pipe dream, but it’s plausible.

While the Rangers are rebuilding, someone like Tarasenko would be worth trying to acquire. He’s young, so he could be a huge part of the next contending team in the Big Apple. Tarasenko would be a nice plan B for Panarin.

Montreal Canadiens

They could afford him long-term without having to dump any salary, which is good. And the Canadiens could certainly use a scorer of Tarasenko’s caliber. However, do they have the prospect pool to get him? The Blues would likely want Nick Suzuki, as he’s their only truly great prospect other than Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who the Canadiens likely view as untouchable (and rightfully so).

New Jersey Devils

There’s no question the Devils have the cap space needed to acquire Tarasenko. But do they have the young players the Blues will likely want? General Manager Ray Shero used to be known for his penchant for big deals. However, that reputation seems to have been left in Pittsburgh. But maybe the Devils struggles will motivate Shero to go back to his old ways.

Philadelphia Flyers

New general manager Chuck Fletcher has made bold trades before. None of them bolder than trading for Tarasenko, though. He’s armed with one of the wealthiest ownership groups in the NHL and a deep pool of young players and prospects. And thanks to the brilliance of former GM Ron Hextall, the Flyers are mostly done with their really bad contracts.

Colorado Avalanche

They have a ton of cap space and have a very nice prospect pool. However, the Avalanche are a budget team. Their recent moves suggest that. That said, the Avalanche saw some much-needed growth last season. So maybe now they’d be willing to take on Tarasenko’s deal. But it would cost them.

3. New York Islanders

Why they’d make sense: The New York Islanders need some help on offense. Entering Dec. 13, they rank 24th in the league in goals scored per game. Tarasenko would give them a much-needed boost. They’ve been struggling ever since losing John Tavares. Mathew Barzal is doing perfectly fine, but he hasn’t taken that huge step up the Isles believed he was ready to take.

Tarasenko would give the Islanders two bonafide goal scorers (assuming they re-sign Anders Lee). Barry Trotz proved with the Washington Capitals he can get the best out of guys like Tarasenko. He got the best out of Ovechkin, but the Islanders obviously aren’t getting him. So why not get the next best thing – Tarasenko?

Why they might not: The big question with the Islanders and Tarasenko is going to be the price. They should be fine regarding the salary cap even after factoring in a likely extension for Lee. However, the Islanders might not have the pieces to get Tarasenko.

They’ve got a first-round pick, so that helps. If they’re willing to trade Jordan Eberle, that might even net them a second one. As far as young players, the Islanders could offer either Ryan Pulock or Anthony Beauvillier.

The issue is, which prospect are the Blues going to ask for? And the answer isn’t one the Islanders are going to like. It’ll be either Oliver Wahlstrom, Ilya Sorokin, or Noah Dobson. That’s what happens when you have three great prospects – teams want them.

Negotiating the prospect cost down to, say, Kieffer Bellows is an option. But do the Islanders have the assets to offer elsewhere to account for the difference? And would they be willing to part with those assets? Knowing Lou Lamoriello, the Islanders will at least kick the tires on Tarasenko.

2. Buffalo Sabres

Now wouldn’t this be an unexpected twist? These two teams have done business together as recently as early July, so they’re clearly familiar with each other. But now the roles are reversed. The Sabres are the team looking to add a potential missing piece while the Blues are looking to sell.

Why they’d make sense: Despite their success thus far this season, the Buffalo Sabres won’t be buyers in the traditional sense, according to Elliotte Friedman (bolded for emphasis).

There were rumblings that Buffalo, with four first-round picks in the next two years, might look at a rental to boost its chances. Looked into it, heard otherwise. Maybe for a younger player under team control for awhile, but not for a rental.

Tarasenko is young (27 years old) and is under team control for a while (four years after the 2018-19 season). So yup, he makes sense for the Sabres. Buffalo’s rebuild is nearly over, so Tarasenko could easily be a part of the next contending Sabres team.

As Friedman noted, they have four first-round picks in the next two drafts. One of those happens to be from the Blues. I have a feeling the Sabres won’t be giving that one up. But Buffalo’s own in 2019 could make sense.

The Sabres are clearly fed up with losing. Getting Tarasenko would be a great way to give themselves some insurance in case they can’t keep Jeff Skinner and would send a message to their fanbase that they’re ready to win now.

Why they might not: The biggest concern is the salary cap. Buffalo will have to clear some salary to make it work even if you assume the Sabres won’t re-sign Skinner if they get Tarasenko. Getting rid of Zach Bogosian, Patrik Berglund, and Vladimir Sobotka would help their slim hopes of keeping both. But teams are going to want compensation for taking those deals off their hands.

Another concern is the cost. The Blues are likely going to ask for a first-round pick (no issue there), Sam Reinhart, and a top prospect (Brandon Guhle or Tage Thompson, perhaps?). That’s a bit pricey.