Vladimir Tarasenko want out of St. Louis and the blues are happy to fulfill his wish. The 29-year-old has two years left on a $ 7.5 million AAV deal and the ability to control his destiny. Thanks to his contract, which includes a 10-team trade list protection.
This will prevent the blues from getting the maximum return on investment and they may even need to encourage some teams to take it. Tarasenko owes an actual salary of $ 9.5 million, so St. Louis will likely need to eat some of it to make a move easier.
NHL Rumors: Potential Trade Targets for Vladimir Tarasenko
In trying to figure out where Tarasenko will land, two key factors need to be considered. One; the team is one contender and two; What is this team’s cap situation like?
Here are three potential ideal landing spots for Tarasenko, but it will take money that is re-spent for the deal to work.
- The New York Islanders: Talk about a team that needs more attack. They have a little over $ 5 million in cap space so they have to send money back to the Blues. Maybe Josh Bailey or Nick Leddy would be there to make it work.
- Vegas Golden Knights: The team wants help with power play and Tarasenko can deliver that. Vegas has $ 6 million cap and talks about trading a goalkeeper to get more. This can be observed.
- Washington capitals: You will sign Alexander Ovechkin after the expansion draft and have vowed to get another kick at the cup. It is also possible that they will lose TJ Oshie in the expansion. Tarasenko will be a nice replacement here.
Jack Eichel front runner?
I believe this deal will come almost as soon as the draft extension is done. Something is nagging me that the deal may already have been made and is just waiting for Seattle to announce its team to make it public. Speculation, but handshake agreements have been made before.
Regardless, there seem to be multiple teams like the Minnesota Wild and the Vegas Golden Knights. Cap wise, I just don’t see it.
The two front runners at Jack Eichel are the New York Rangers and the Anaheim Ducks. We’ll find out in about two weeks.
Canucks shop Nate Schmidt
The Vancouver Canucks desperately need space for the cap to sign both RFAs Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes on new deals. GM Jim Benning also needs to guard against the threat of an offer sheet, but more importantly, he wants to maintain the cornerstones of the franchise.
When it comes to finding more money, trading with Nate Schmidt is the most likely option. The defender has four years left at $ 5.95 million AAV and it appears the trade talk is beginning.
There is always chatter in the Canucks market, but recent speculation about defense attorney Nate Schmidt’s future seems to have a bit of fire amidst all that talk radio smoke. Whether Schmidt asked out on a date or he and the club have simply agreed that the relationship has not worked for either party, the Canucks are looking for potential trading partners for the 29-year-old, whose first season in Vancouver is almost like that for him disappointing was how she was for his team.
Iain MacIntyre
