The Detroit Red Wings needed an offensive force and turned to Vladimir Tarasenko.
Three days after the start of free agency, the Wings signed the 32-year-old forward to a two-year, $9.5 million contract. The former 40-goal scorer will bolster the top six and protect some of the offense lost with the free agent departures of David Perron, Daniel Sprong and Shayne Gostisbehere.
Shortly after signing Tarasenko, Wings general manager Steve Yzerman sent Robby Fabbri and a conditional 2025 fourth-round draft pick to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Gage Alexander, a 22-year-old minor league goalie.
The Tarasenko signing marks the furor that erupted Sunday night when Yzerman signed Patrick Kane to a one-year, $4 million extension. In between came several mid-range signings that provided depth but hardly inspired confidence that the Wings could build on their playoff-hunting performance last season. Now they have a big winger who can actually shoot the puck — and score.
Tarasenko (6-foot, 225 pounds, shots remaining) recently won the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers. He won his first with the St. Louis Blues in 2019.
ANOTHER RUSSIAN RED WING:Advice from Pavel Datsyuk to young Detroit Red Wings: ‘Fall in love with your job’
Tarasenko scored 34 goals in 2021-22 with the Blues. He was traded to the New York Rangers at the 2023 trade deadline, started last season with the Ottawa Senators and finished it in Florida.
It’s a significant addition for the Wings, and a relatively low-risk one. Tarasenko had 23 goals in 76 games last season and 18 goals in 69 games the season before that, but both seasons were split between two teams. The Wings will have to hope that the absence of turbulence will refresh Tarasenko, who has reached the 30-goal mark six times since entering the NHL in 2012-13.
The Wings can now field a top six with wingers like Tarasenko, Kane, Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrincat. Tarasenko can also fill the power play position vacated by Perron, who signed with Ottawa in free agency.
Tarasenko has elite offensive sense, starting with great vision. He is a natural shooter, but has a knack for making plays in tight spaces. At his size, it is not easy to knock the puck away from him and he is not afraid of physical strength.
With one signing, Yzerman has restored the Wings to their former glory and made them look like a team that can compete for a playoff spot without sacrificing their future.
Contact Helene St. James via[email protected]Follow her on Twitter@helenestjamesRead more about theDetroit Red Wings and sign up for ourRed Wings NewsletterHer latest book, “On the Clock: Behind the Scenes with the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL Draft,” is available at Amazon,Barnes & Noble and Triumph Books. Personalized copies available via her email.