A segment of Detroit Red Wings fans didn’t shed any tears when forward Vladimir Tarasenko was traded to the Minnesota Wild. Many were eager to see him go after an underwhelming season. Tarasenko himself seems pleased with the move, expressing little interest in revisiting his time in Detroit, stating, “The past is behind us.”
Heavy Workload and High Expectations Led to Tarasenko’s Struggles During Detroit Tenure
Tarasenko was signed by Detroit to strengthen the team’s offense after they lost 75 goals from their 2023-24 roster. The six-time 30-goal scorer inked a two-year deal with an average annual value of $4.75 million. However, he managed to score only 11 goals, leading to widespread frustration among fans and media alike.
Vladimir Tarasenko (NHL)In explaining his poor performance, Tarasenko pointed to the intense workload of the previous two seasons. He had played for four different teams during that time—St. Louis, New York, Ottawa, and Florida—capping it off with a Stanley Cup win with the Panthers. The compressed timeline left him little opportunity to rest and reset before arriving in Detroit.
Extended Offseason Offers Tarasenko Time to Heal, Refocus, and Rekindle His Scoring Touch
Now with Minnesota, Tarasenko is using the extended offseason to fully recuperate. Since Detroit missed the playoffs, he has ample time to recover both physically and mentally—something he says he hasn’t had in years. He believes this rest will be key to regaining his form and effectiveness on the ice.
Tarasenko remains optimistic about the road ahead. He emphasized that he and his family have no regrets about recent seasons and are eager to begin this new chapter. Confident in his abilities, he expressed enthusiasm about proving himself once more, indicating that he still has a lot to offer in the NHL.
