Vladimir Tarasenko, no stranger to the St. Louis Blues fanbase, is playing for his second Cup.
While his star power may have diminished since his time in St. Louis, his influence on the Florida Panthers has been significant, particularly in the last two rounds of the NHL playoffs.
Is Vladimir Tarasenko showing that he is still a force to be reckoned with in the NHL?
Playing in 20 games this postseason, Tarasenko has 4 goals and 4 assists for 8 points.
During the regular season, he split his time between the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers:
If Tarasenko played for the St. Louis Blues, his 23 regular season goals would have placed him 6th on the team.
Tarasenko’s numbers have dropped significantly from his prime in St. Louis. Tarasenko, one of the top goal scorers in St. Louis Blues history, has faced injuries that prevented teams from offering long-term contracts.
Entering the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, Tarasenko will have crucial decisions to make.
By scoring pivotal goals in the Eastern Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Finals, Tarasenko has showcased his talent.
Both Panthers GM Bill Zito and head coach Paul Maurice have expressed satisfaction with Tarasenko’s performance, particularly his support and experienced leadership for his teammates.
If Tarasenko is willing to take on a leadership role and continue to sacrifice minutes on the ice, he may be in the perfect situation in Florida and might consider staying for a hometown discount.
Nevertheless, at 32 years old, Tarasenko could see an increase in his ice time and goals scored if he were to play for a different team in the league.
Either way, Tarasenko’s acquisition by Florida at the trade deadline has worked out. The former St. Louis Blues star is flourishing under pressure and is one game away from his second Cup victory.
Tarasenko might have just secured a new long-term contract for himself.