St. Louis Blues: Tarasenko Isn’t Worried About The Shoulder

The St. Louis Blues’ Vladimir Tarasenko was interviewed today.  If we believe him, he says the injury should be nothing to worry about long term since it is different than the one on the same shoulder previously.

Talking to the media, St. Louis Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko was in good spirits and taking things in stride in the early stages of his recovery.  He said he is working with the same group that helped him with his last injury and they were able to get him back earlier than expected and he trusts that they are good at what they do.

He seemed optimistic about his recovery and in the meantime has been enjoying his extra time at home with the family. His oldest has started skating for his hockey team and he gets to watch that more often now.

It’s encouraging to hear that the injury isn’t the same as the one before. That, in Tarasenko’s words, was just an “unlucky” outcome to a puck battle. “It’s a hockey game,” Tarasenko told the media.  “If you don’t want injuries then don’t play.” You can read about the interview in depth here. You can also watch it here.

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If you read The Athletic they did a piece on Tarsenko’s injury. They displayed Doug Armstrong’s responses to questions about Vladi and his shoulder and then had their take on the responses. You can find that here.

Reading this piece also seems to validate a little more of what Armstrong had said. The Athletic also had a shoulder professional assess some of the comments by Army as well.

We have all been considering the aftermath of the injury. We have considered what trades if any make sense. We’ve debated the lineups and questioned the return time for Vladi.

After reading this article and watching the interview, I am fairly confident that Tarasenko will be back this season and before the playoffs. This, of course, is making the assumption that we do indeed make the playoffs.

I’ve mentioned before that Vladi seems to be one of those fast healers and Craig Berube attributes that to Vladi’s work ethic in the gym with strength and conditioning. I’ve questioned Vladi’s motor many a time, but one thing I can never question is the guy’s strength.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the 5-month reevaluation date becomes the date he’s cleared to play again. The sooner he is truly cleared to play and we get him back on the ice playing hockey the better we are.

I’m not suggesting we rush the greatest Blues goal scorer since Brett Hull back early and jeopardize his future. But, the sooner he is cleared to play, the better the Blues chances become at a repeat.

Vladimir Tarasenko isn’t worried. So I think it’s time we all stop worrying and focus on the task at hand – winning enough to stay relevant and get into the playoffs. So that when and not if Tarasenko is cleared this season, he can get his feet under him in some meaningful games before the grind of the playoffs starts again!