Vladimir Tarasenko dealt to Rangers in four player deal

The second major trade of the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline period has dropped as lifetime St. Louis Blue Vladimir Tarasenko is traded to the New York Rangers. The return for the Blues is RW Sammy Blais, D Hunter Skinner, a 2023 first-round pick, and a 2024 fourth-round pick. Niko Mikkola will also be sent to the Rangers from the Blues as part of the deal. The Blues will also retain 50% of Tarasenko’s contract.

Vladimir Tarasenko is headed to the Big Apple

The former Blues captain has been a member of the St. Louis Blues since being drafted by the team 16th overall in 2010. He made his NHL debut in 2012, and finished 12th in Calder voting in the same season.

Last season, Tarasenko had the best scoring season of his career at the age of 30. The scorer had 34 goals and 48 assists, and was a key player in the Blues' playoff run.

The trade is a big one for the Rangers, sitting third in the Metropolitan division, with the Rangers adding even more skill to a loaded top-six line combination. Adding Tarasenko will provide one more scoring threat to a top-six that features Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, Vincent Trocheck, and even younger developing pieces like Kaapo Kakko, Alexis Lafraniere, and Jimmy Vesey.

The move for the Rangers will pair two of the top Russian wingers in the NHL, Artemi Panerin and the former Blues captain. As far as line combinations, the Rangers could have the opportunity to pair the two craft wingers together on their top line, anchored by Mika Zibanejad. The Rangers could also fit the Russian on their second line as a complimentary piece to scoring forwards Chris Kreider and Vincent Trocheck.

The trade makes sense for the Blues. Tarasenko was rumored to have requested a trade around the trade deadline last season. However, the Blues were able to hold on to their star to attempt a run in the playoffs. Now sitting 12 points out of the Wild Card spot, and dropping seven out of their last nine games, the timing makes perfect sense for the Blues.

The return is a familiar piece for the Blues. Sammy Blais was drafted by the team in 2014, and played his first four seasons in St. Louis. Blais was then traded with a 2nd round pick to the Rangers for Pavel Buchnevich on July 23rd, 2021.

Hunter Skinner is a defenseman prospect for the New York Rangers, currently assigned to the Rangers’ AHL affiliate the Hartford Wolf Pack.