All the Vladimir Tarasenko rumors one can stomach…
Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic (mailbag): It seems St. Louis and the league cannot get enough of the Vladimir Tarasenko trade rumors. Tangible Vladimir Tarasenko trade speculation started last summer when he had concerns about shoulder surgeries.
Ryan O’Reilly was named captain but that was minor compared to what snowballed. Tarasenko listed ten teams yet there is a possibility he goes outside that ten to facilitate a deal. Time will tell.
Guessing what Tarasenko’s retention rate will be is speculative. If it is a deal just for Tarasenko, easily could be 50%. If there are any additions, then it will be less.
A Tarasenko deal is way more impending than any Matthew Tkachuk deal could be. Tkachuk might get extended even from Calgary.
Vince Dunn is another player with much uncertainty. He could be traded anywhere. Seattle might take him if he is exposed. There are lots of variables in play.
As for Zach Hyman, a bidding war is likely. Does St. Louis want to get involved there? Good question. One thing is true. Craig Berube and Doug Armstrong’s seats are getting hotter.
Oh, there is more St. Louis Blues…
Jim Thomas of St. Louis Post Dispatch (live chat): There lies the possibility that Vladimir Tarasenko could be exposed to the expansion draft. It matters little as a trade is the most probable route.
Gabriel Landeskog will generate tons of interest but again that likely bidding war aspect. It also looks like Jaden Schwartz, Mike Hoffman, and Tyler Bozak will all test the free-agent market. St. Louis wants them to take pay cuts.
Tarasenko’s list has not leaked out but it is believed the two New York teams are on there along with Boston, Washington, Tampa Bay, etc. Many of the teams are contenders understandably.
The flat cap will cause Doug Armstrong many headaches this offseason. How he patches those goal-scoring holes will be key to the 2021-22 season for the Blues.
Maybe the captaincy entendre was not entendre. It could have had a bigger effect on Tarasenko than people realize. Going forward, St. Louis has to do just that now.