Vladimir Tarasenko is likely not returning to the Florida Panthers after winning the Stanley Cup. The Pittsburgh Penguins have emerged as a frontrunner.
Vladimir Tarasenko is no longer the elite sniper he once was, but he is still a very competent NHLer, propelling the Florida Panthers to their first Stanley Cup win as a franchise.
Vladimir Tarasenko is now among the last good talent on the free agency market, and it appears a frontrunner has emerged for his services - the Pittsburgh Penguins.
In this column from
The Athletic, the 10 top remaining free agents were linked to teams. For Vladimir Tarasenko, he was linked to the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he could reunite with countryman Evgeni Malkin, and possibly play beside Sidney Crosby with Kris Letang feeding him pucks. If Kyle Dubas could pull it off, he could be a natural fit.
The 23-goal, 55-point winger may have shifted from a top-six to a middle-six threat into his 30s, but Tarasenko is still a shooting threat with a better defensive conscience than he gets credit for.
Surely, the Russian would be amenable to remaining in Florida, where he hoisted a second Stanley Cup skating on the third line, but GM Bill Zito is being prudent with his budget.
The Penguins are reportedly one of the clubs to make the UFA an offer, as Tarasenko should be prepared to accept a pay cut from the $5 million Ottawa Senators gave him last summer... on July 27.
Whether or not the Pittsburgh Penguins can pull this off is unknown, but Vladimir Tarasenko could be in the City of Bridges very soon.
Possibly getting to see Sid, Geno, Karlsson, Tanger, and Tarasenko in a Penguins uniform together.
teenage me would be losing their mind right now
Credit HockeyFeed:
Surprising contender linked to Stanley Cup champion Vladimir Tarasenko
DO YOU THINK THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS COULD MAKE THE PLAYOFFS IF THEY ADDED VLADIMIR TARASENKO? JULY 3 75 ANSWERS |
| YES | 35 | 46.7 % |
| NO | 40 | 53.3 % |
| LIST OF POLLS |
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