On July 1, the free agent market opened in the National Hockey League (NHL). On the very first day, the clubs literally created a tsunami of new signings and crazy deals. Just look at the epoch-making departure of Canadian Steven Stamkos from the Tampa Bay Lightning and subsequent signing of a contract with the Nashville Predators, who strengthened the roster with a number of star and experienced players. However, Vladimir Tarasenko, one of the most valuable and desired hockey players for many NHL clubs, remained on the sidelines.
Like last summer, the Russian forward did not rush to make a decision about his career future. But if in the summer of 2023 Tarasenko spent almost a month finally leaving for the Ottawa Senators, now Vladi and his agent decided everything much faster. It has already become known today that Detroit has become the new club of the star Russian.
The Red Wings are a truly great and even legendary club, one of the representatives of the “Original Six”, an 11-time Stanley Cup winner. But in recent years, the Red Wings can only dream of past successes. For eight seasons in a row, the team has not even reached the playoff stage. Detroit intends to finally break this series of failures.
Obviously, the Red Wings are not the club with which Tarasenko will compete for the Stanley Cup. And Vladimir already has two of these trophies. It is unlikely to be wrong to say that the Russian wants to aim for a third NHL championship. The star forward is only 32 years old. Yes, he earned enough during his career and achieved great victories. But there are never too many of them, and therefore it is quite appropriate to compare the new deal with Tarasenko’s transfer to Ottawa. Last season, everything ended with the expected exchange to the Florida Panthers, with whom Vladimir came to his second Stanley Cup. Perhaps we can expect something similar in the new season, since he signed with Detroit for only two years and a total of $9.5 million.
Many would probably like to see Tarasenko next season as part of the same “Florida”, which in its current state is still capable of competing for the championship. But what would Vladimir's place be on this team? It is clearly not appropriate for the eminent forward to remain in the third or fourth attacking trio. In Detroit, he is practically guaranteed a place in the top 6 and in the special team of the majority. Already now in North America they see an attack line filled with famous and star forwards, in the following combinations: Debrincat — Larkin — Raymond, Tarasenko — Compher — Kane. Playing together with the famous Patrick Kane is truly a show! Tarasenk-Show and Showtime — sounds beautiful and interesting. In addition, Vladimir will receive very good money, which will not prevent him from joining a contending club when such an opportunity arises.
Even before the official announcement from Detroit there were rumors about the Russian’s transfer to the Red Wings. there wasn't at all. On the contrary, American journalists sent Tarasenko either to the New York Rangers, where Vladimir had already played the rest of the 2022/23 season, or to the Pittsburgh Penguins, who even seemed to have made him a contract offer. But the Russian striker left sunny Florida for the Motor City.
Detroit is picking up an interesting team with a big bet on attack, capable of finally returning to the playoffs. For the club, this deal also turns out to be profitable, because there is enough money left to renew Moritz Seider, Joe Veleno and Lucas Raymond. It will be interesting to watch this.