In need of offense, the Detroit Red Wings settled on Vladimir Tarasenko.
Three days into free agency, the Wings signed the 32-year-old forward to a two-year, $9.5 million deal. A former 40-goal scorer, he strengthens the top six and buffers against some of the offense lost in the free-agent departures of David Perron, Daniel Sprong and Shayne Gostisbehere.
Shortly after signing Tarasenko, Wings general manager Steve Yzerman shipped Robby Fabbri and a conditional 2025 fourth-round pick to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Gage Alexander, a 22-year-old minor-league goaltender.
The Tarasenko signing bookends the splash made Sunday night when Yzerman re-signed Patrick Kane for one year at $4 million. In between came multiple mid-range signings that provided depth, but hardly imbued confidence the Wings would build on the playoff-chasing performance they delivered this past season. Now they have a big winger who can really shoot the puck – and score.
Tarasenko (6 feet, 225 pounds, shoots left) just won the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers. He won his first with the St. Louis Blues in 2019.
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Tarasenko scored 34 goals in 2021-22 with the Blues. He was traded to the New York Rangers at the 2023 deadline, started last season with the Ottawa Senators, and finished it in Florida.
It’s an important signing for the Wings, and relatively low-risk. Tarasenko had 23 goals last season in 76 games and 18 goals in 69 games the previous season, but both seasons were split among two teams. The Wings have to hope that now that the absence of turbulence will refresh Tarasenko, who has reached the 30-goal mark six times since joining the NHL in 2012-13.
The Wings can now put together a top six with wingers that include Tarasenko, Kane, Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrincat. Tarasenko also can take over the power play spot vacated by Perron, who signed with Ottawa in free agency.
Tarasenko has elite offensive sense, starting with great vision. He’s a natural shooter but has a knack for making plays in tight spaces. With his size, he’s not easy to knock off the puck, and doesn’t shy away from physicality.
In one signing, Yzerman significantly has restored the Wings to looking like a team that can compete for a playoff spot again, and has done so without mortgaging the future.
Contact Helene St. James athstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter@helenestjames. Read more on theDetroit Red Wings and sign up for ourRed Wings newsletter. Her latest book, “On the Clock: Behind the Scenes with the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL Draft,” is available from Amazon,Barnes & Noble and Triumph Books. Personalized copies available via her e-mail.
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