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Montreal Canadiens Potential UFA Target: Vladimir Tarasenko
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Montreal Canadiens Potential UFA Target: Vladimir Tarasenko

Originally posted on The Sick Podcast  |  By Nick Lariviere  |  Last updated Aug 6, 2026 2:55 PM ET
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The Montreal Canadiens are still in the market for a top-six scoring forward; could veteran Vladimir Tarasenko be a fit? 

Tarasenko had a solid year with the Minnesota Wild last season, where he scored 23 goals and 47 points in 75 games. It was a great bounce-back season after having just 11 goals and 33 points with the Red Wings the prior year. He is far from the player that he once was with the St. Louis Blues, but he proved he can still produce like a good second-line winger and would be worth it on a short-term deal at the very least for a team like the Canadiens looking for scoring depth. 

Now, the 34-year-old winger would certainly not be the Montreal Canadiens’ top target, but Tarasenko could be an option for the second line for a year if they are unable to land a bigger fish via a trade. Not to mention, Tarasenko’s new player agent Dan Milstein seems to have a good relationship with the Canadiens, which could only help their case in landing the former superstar. 

Jimmy Murphy was on the Sick Podcast with Shayne Gaumond on Wednesday night, where they discussed the possibility of Tarasenko being an option for the Canadiens in terms of players who are currently on the market. Both Murphy and Gaumond believe that Tarasenko could be a good fit for the Canadiens.

“He’s a versatile guy; everyone thinks offence when you think of Tarasenko, but he can get back and help out a bit. I just think if you look at the UFA market and you are looking for a plug-in piece, he’s the best plug-in piece for the Montreal Canadiens at this point,” explained Murphy on why Tarasenko could be a fit with the Canadiens.

Meanwhile, Murphy also brought up Tarasenko on The Eye Test Podcast with his co-host Pierre McGuire on Wednesday. McGuire shot down Tarasenko as a fit for the Canadiens, as he feels that the Russian winger wouldn’t have a spot as a top six winger in Montreal.

Tarasenko may be a much slower player at this point of his career than Alex Newhook, who is slotted on the opposite wing of Ivan Demidov on the second line currently. However, due to pure skill, the experience of winning two Stanley Cups, and the Russian connection, it is very possible that Tarasenko would be the better fit alongside Demidov for a year. Sure, Newhook has a Cup, but Tarasenko played a much bigger role as a top-line winger when he won with the Blues back in 2019. 

Playing with an elite playmaker in the making like Demidov could help Tarasenko score as many as 30 goals for the first time since the 2021-22 season. Even for a year, Tarasenko could help guide Demidov into becoming a better NHLer.

There is no doubt that Tarasenko isn’t the best option for the Montreal Canadiens’ second line, but as Murphy stated, if they are looking for someone to play with Demidov on the second line on a short-term basis, the 34-year-old would be the best option on a cheap deal for about $3-4 million for the 2026-27 season. Realistically, Tarasenko should only be a target if the Canadiens can’t get either a younger scoring winger or a second-line centre via the trade market. However, his scoring abilities and experience would be a fit if they choose to go that route.

If the Montreal Canadiens are unable to get anything else done, would you like to see them sign Tarasenko?

This article first appeared on The Sick Podcast and was syndicated with permission.

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