Vladimir Tarasenko Traded to the Rangers

Trade Season is underway as the New York Rangers acquired Vladimir Tarasenko and Niko Mikkola from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Sammy Blais, Hunter Skinner, a 2023 First round draft pick, and a conditional 2024 Fourth Round Draft pick, which becomes a third-round pick if the Rangers make the playoffs. The Blues will also retain 50 percent of his salary.

OFFICIAL: #NYR have acquired F Vladimir Tarasenko and D Niko Mikkola in exchange for a conditional first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, Sammy Blais and Hunter Skinner.

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— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 9, 2023

Vladimir Tarasenko was Traded To The Rangers

The Rangers were looking to make a splash after their divisional rival New York Islanders acquired Bo Horvat from the Vancouver Canucks. As reported by Dave Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, Tarasenko was willing to waive his no-trade clause to go to the Rangers this past off-season. Tarasenko is entering the final season of an eight-year contract that carries a $7.5 million cap hit.

In 2021, Tarasenko made his trade request known last season to the Blues. According to Jeremy Rutherford, the request stemmed from issues with team doctors over his shoulder surgeries. Despite the request for a trade and his availability in the Seattle expansion draft, a trade did not materialize. During the 2021-22 season, Tarasenko recorded a career-best 82 points including 34 goals in 75 games.

Even with having such a productive season, it did not mean Tarasenko did not want to be traded. St. Louis tried again this past offseason to move him. It was not until three weeks before the deadline, the Rangers pulled the trigger on the trade for Tarasenko.

This season in 38 games with the Blues, Tarasenko has recorded 29 points (10 goals and 19 assists). Tarasenko will be reunited with his former World Junior teammate Artemi Panarin. Panarin and Tarasenko won World Junior Gold with Russia in 2011.

You have to wonder if Tarasenko and Panarin click if Tarasenko decides to stay on Broadway. The winger has made it known he would like to test free agency this summer. In addition, Tarasenko won a Stanley Cup with the Blues in 2019. This only adds to the experience level of the Rangers and that group after their run to the Eastern Conference Final in 2022.

Prior to the Rangers acquiring Tarasenko and Mikkola, they placed Libor Hajek on waivers.

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What This Means

The Rangers were looking to make a splash this trade deadline. They have been tied to Patrick Kane for most of the trade season. But like Tarasenko, Kane controls where he goes. It is unclear if Kane was willing to come to New York or wanted to leave Chicago period. Those discussions still needed to happen.

That meant the Rangers had to go to plan B. And acquiring Tarasenko for what they gave up has upgraded their top-six scoring immensely. This puts pressure on the rest of the division to act quickly.