DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills has written an article which discusses the assets which free agent signing Vladimir Tarasenko this morning. Mills discusses the fact that Tarasenko asked former New York Rangers teammate Patrick Kane for some intelligence about the Metro Detroit area before signing with the Wings three days into free agency:
“I liked the way the team played last year,” Tarasenko said in an introductory Zoom call with the media on July 8. “I decided with the family this is the best decision for us moving forward. We are really excited about it. It’s a new chapter for us. We can’t wait to get to Detroit, get settled and start Training Camp.”
Tarasenko split last season between the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers, recording 55 points (23 goals, 32 assists) in 76 regular-season games. He also earned nine points (five goals, four assists) in 24 postseason games with Florida, helping the club win its first-ever Stanley Cup championship.
Originally selected by St. Louis with the 16th overall pick in the 2010 NHL Draft, Tarasenko has 629 points (293 goals, 336 assists) in 751 games with the Blues, Rangers, Senators and Panthers.
“I think he is going to be so good for the group,” Kane said about Tarasenko. “He’s a proven winner. The way he plays, how hard he plays – I think a lot of players in general, not just young guys, will see how hard he works and how much effort he gives every shift. That’s why he has a couple Stanley Cups to his name too.”
Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman said Tarasenko will boost Detroit’s offense.
“A little bit different type of player than our wingers Lucas (Raymond), Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat,” Yzerman said about Tarasenko on July 4. “A left-shot who will fill out that top-six, top-nine group. A scorer and straight-ahead guy who is big, strong and will go to the net. We feel that’s a really good addition.”
Continued; Tarasenko doesn’t have the blazing speed he possessed in his 20’s, and his backchecking isn’t elegant, but he’s a true sniper with a really stocky build who takes no shit from his opponents. He’s good for 25 goals and 50+ points a season, and as Yzerman says, he’ll play the kind of north-south hockey that coach Lalonde has been pressing his team to play.
