ESPN’s Ryan Clark weighs in on the Red Wings’ signing of Vladimir Tarasenko to a 2-year, $9.5-million contract, grading the transaction:
Grade: B+
Where does he fit? Tarasenko was attractive given his ability to play a top-six role, and it appears that’s the part he will play for the Red Wings. Tarasenko’s arrival adds to a group that already had Alex DeBrincat, Patrick Kane and Lucas Raymond on the roster.
DeBrincat is a six-time 20-goal scorer with three seasons of more than 30 goals; he scored 27 goals in 2023-24 for a consecutive season. Kane is a future Hall of Famer who had 20 goals and 47 points in 50 games, while Raymond had the strongest season of his career, with 31 goals and 72 points.
Adding Tarasenko, who scored 23 goals between his time with the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers, gives them another option in an offseason that saw them lose David Perron in free agency. Altogether, the Red Wings look to have one of the more formidable top-six winger situations as they seek to climb back into the playoffs after an eight-year hiatus.
Does it make sense? The Red Wings had 13 players who finished with more than 10 goals during the 2023-24 season; however, they lost three of those players this offseason. Perron and defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere left in free agency while Jake Walman was traded to the San Jose Sharks.
It left an opening for a proven goal scorer for a team just barely missed the playoffs. So who better to call, or sign, than a two-time Stanley Cup winner who not only gives the Red Wings another top-six option but adds another figure to a power play that was ninth in the NHL with a 23.1% success rate?
As for the actual contract itself, giving him two years at $4.75 million AAV is the type of deal that provides a sense of comfort for Red Wings. It’s a pact that’s long enough to build continuity, but not too long that it’s an inescapable deal in the event he struggles to find consistency. — Clark
Continued (paywall)
