Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko says trade request 'is all behind'

The St. Louis Blues opened up training camp on Thursday and as expected, everyone's focus was on alternate captain Vladimir Tarasenko after he reportedly requested a trade in the off-season.

Despite the trade request, Tarasenko wants to move forward and told Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic that he will give his all for the Blues this season.

"My mindset is good. Happy to be with the guys. I have a good relationship with the guys. It's been a weird summer, but it's going to stay between us - between me and Doug. I'm here to work. As long as I play here, I will work 100%. I'm 100% healthy," Tarasenko said. "(The trade request) is all behind. I don't see the reason to discuss it now. Camp starts, you know, and I don't want to be a distraction in the room. Like I said, I'm here to work. I'm healthy and I'm happy to play hockey again."

The Yaroslavl, Russia native went on to add, "We always love the St. Louis community. We always try to help the community as much as we can. Me and my family, we're very grateful for those people who support us through this last nine years especially this summer we received a lot of support. I'm really grateful."

Blues head coach Craig Berube also commented on the Tarasenko situation on Thursday afternoon.

"I really don't believe it's a distraction at all. He's been here for a while, skating with the guys, being with the guys, hanging out with the guys. I thought he looked excellent out there today. He's been part this team for a long time. Yeah, things happen in the summertime or things are said. I don't go into all that. I don't worry about that. He's here playing hockey for us, so I coach him. That's it. It's not a distraction in my opinion."

St. Louis is hoping that Tarasenko can get back to his pre-injury form after missing the majority of the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons due to multiple shoulder surgeries.

Tarasenko cont'd: "(The trade request) is all behind. I don't see the reason to discuss it now. Camp starts, you know, and I don't want to be a distraction in the room. Like I said, I'm here to work. I'm healthy and I'm happy to play hockey again." #stlblues— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) September 23, 2021

Tarasenko: "We always love the St. Louis community. We always try to help the community as much as we can. Me and my family, we're very grateful for those people who support us through this last nine years especially this summer we received a lot of support. I'm really grateful."— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) September 23, 2021

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