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St. Louis Blues Vladimir Tarasenko Top 12 In NHL

By Todd Panula

Apr 15, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (not pictured) during the second period in game two of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (not pictured) during the second period in game two of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NHL Network released a list of the top forwards in the league right now. Vladimir Tarasenko is right around the correct spot.

The NHL Network came up with a list of it’s top 20 forwards in the entire league playing today. Vladimir Tarasenko made the list and it has already caused some good discussion.

Some feel it’s too low for their new favorite St. Louis Blues player. Others are surprised he is as high as he is given many pro sports league’s propensity for downplaying anything going on in the gateway to the west. In the end, he’s probably right where he should be.

Tarasenko was listed as the 12th best forward in the entire NHL. Already, just perusing social media, there were a handful of people wondering why he’s that low.

Yes, in our own little St. Louis Blues world, there’s nobody better. There’s almost nobody in the league we would want over Vlady. He’s basically a perfect fit for our city, based on work ethic, talent and personality. So, for those that think that way, they wonder how anyone could be ranked higher.

However, when you look at the list, it becomes hard to vault Tarasenko over some of those names.

NHL Network’s Top 20 Forwards Right Now

1. Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
2. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
4. Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars
5. Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
6. Joe Pavelski, San Jose Sharks
7. John Tavares, New York Islanders
8. Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings
9. Tyler Seguin, Dallas Stars
10. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
11. Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning
12. Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues
13. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
14. Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
15. Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames
16. Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks
17. Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers
18. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning
19. Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks
20. Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals

Looking at the list there, who would we really take out? Kopitar is a name that pops out a little. He’s not near the goal totals of Tarasenko the last two years.

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However, their point totals are almost a wash and Kopitar has more experience under his belt. Analytical people disagree, but hockey is still a sport that values experience, though that trend is changing a bit.

Personally, I’d favor Tarasenko over Seguin, but that’s mostly due to being bias. If you take out any personality issues, Seguin has been a solid goal scorer and a consistent point scorer to go with it.

The only other name that might be a bit inflated is Pavelski, if you only took his stats from the same point in their careers. Pavelski has, like a fine wine, improved with age. He’s scored over 70 points in three straight seasons and come close to or eclipsed 40 goals in each as well.

As much as we all love Tarasnko, every other name on that list is someone that you would have to nod at and say to yourself, “yeah, that guy is probably better.” That’s true at least in a hockey sense.

Sure, we don’t like certain guys *coughKanecough* for various reasons. We don’t like how Crosby whines or Ovechkin is a bit of a prima donna. Benn is just dislikable due to the amount of times we had to see him during the playoffs. Tavares is sort of quiet due to not being in the main New York market.

Even so, Tarasenko is pretty much right where he should be. It’s a very fair list overall.

There are those that might even be surprised he’s at 12. Given the breadth of his career, some lists might have put Thornton higher but at this point is he really better or would that be simply because he has accomplished more? Gaudreau and McDavid might end up higher than Tarasenko in a few years, but right now they’re even newer to the game.

Next: Here's My Favorite Blues Memories. What're Yours?

Usually these lists cause a lot of hurt feelings. People whine and complain that there’s no way this guy should be higher than that. I’m sure there are some of those feelings in other cities regarding other players. However, as much as Tarasenko is 1st in our books, 12th is about right in the larger context.

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