Free Agent Profile: Vladimir Tarasenko

Two summers ago, Tarasenko signed a two-year, $9.5MM with the Detroit Red Wings. The first year of the deal was a disaster, as Tarasenko didn’t perform well in Detroit’s system. He finished the 2024-25 season with 11 goals and 33 points in 80 games, leading to an offseason trade to the Wild for future considerations. He did much better in Minnesota, scoring 23 goals and 47 points in 75 games.

Regardless, although he’s far from a defensive stalwart, given that Tarasenko can still register 20 goals despite being on the wrong side of 30, has been largely healthy the past few years, and takes few penalties, it would make a lot of sense for a team to give Tarasenko a call. Depending on his asking price, it would be surprising if he doesn’t find a new home next season.

Stats

2025-26: 75 GP, 23 G, 24 A, 47 PTS, -11, 10 PIMS, 148 shots, 14:56 ATOI, 52.0 CF%
Career: 906 GP, 327 G, 382 A, 709 PTS, 50, 213 PIMS, 2,560 shots, 16:51 ATOI, 56.5 CF%

Potential Suitors

Leading up to the preseason, the two best options for Tarasenko are the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks. Both teams could use additional offense, and a short-term deal with Tarasenko would allow them to flip him at the deadline for future assets, assuming they are out of contention at that point.

There are still a few more teams that could use additional offense on their roster, particularly in the middle-six, but don’t have the cap space to pursue Tarasenko. Obviously, his market didn’t materialize as he had hoped, but there’s not a lot of indication that Tarasenko is headed for a professional tryout agreement. There are still several weeks leading into training camp, so a lot can change over that time.

Projected Contract

One of the best comparables to Tarasenko is Max Pacioretty. Although Pacioretty suffered a couple of ACL tears near the end of his career with the Carolina Hurricanes, his career trajectory is quite similar to that of Tarasenko’s, as they both offer a comparable skill set. Heading into his age-35 season, Pacioretty signed a one-year, $2MM deal with the Washington Capitals with another $2MM available in performance bonuses. Adjusting for the rising salary cap, that would make for a one-year, $2.5MM contract for Tarasenko, with up to $2.5MM in performance bonuses. If he can register another 20-goal season with close to 50 points, few teams would be upset about potentially committing $5MM to him over the 2026-27 season.