Vladimir Tarasenko brings two traits the Detroit Red Wings need – scoring ability and winning experience.
The six-time 30-goal scorer and two-time Stanley Cup champion plans on doing both with his newest team.
“I still love to score and just want to prove (to) people I can do it more,” Tarasenko said. “And in the meantime, helping the team to step on the next level.”
Tarasenko, 32, last week signed a two-year deal at an annual average value of $4.75 million, just nine days after winning the Cup with the Florida Panthers.
He joins the team with the second-longest current playoff drought at eight seasons (behind Buffalo’s 13), and he’s determined to help end that dry spell.
“I’m not a person who just comes and hangs out, enjoy my time. I try to win,” Tarasenko said. “I really like winning. I will do everything I can to help the organization to take the next step, help the guys, share my experience, just do my best to make the playoffs. And once you make the playoffs, you never know what’s going to happen. I like the way the (Red Wings) played, and I believe this team can make the playoffs and do some special things.”
He’ll be reunited with Patrick Kane, his teammate with the New York Rangers for a couple of months at the end of 2022-23.
“He’s a proven winner, but I think just the way he plays, how hard he plays, I think a lot of players, not just young guys, but the whole team, will see how hard he works and how much effort he gives every shift,” Kane said. “That’s why he has a couple Stanley Cups to his name. Just adding that winning presence is going to be huge for the group.”
Tarasenko tallied 23 goals and 55 points in 76 games between Ottawa and Florida. He wasn’t as productive in the postseason (five goals, nine points in 24 games). He’s not far removed from a 34-goal, 82-point season with St. Louis in 2021-22.
The Red Wings parted ways with five players who combined for 75 goals last season (forwards David Perron, Robby Fabbri and Daniel Sprong and defensemen Shayne Gostisbehere and Jake Walman).
“A different-type player than our wingers Lucas (Raymond), Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat,” Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman said. “A bigger body, a left shot to fill out that top-six, top-nine group, a scorer, a straight-ahead guy who’s big and strong and will go to the net.”
Tarasenko averaged 36 goals a season with the Blues from 2014-15 to 2018-19, a run culminated with his first Cup. He hopes to bring a more complete game to Detroit.
“I still like to score goals, and I still have some, not only team, but personal goals, too,” Tarasenko said. “I know a lot of people say when you get older, it’s harder to get, but I believe it’s possible. And I think the way it was, I never wanted to not play defense. Sometimes I just don’t understand what to do. But when the years come by and the more I play, I just realized you have to do this in order for you and your team to win the championships.”
A left-shooter who is more comfortable on the right wing, he could slot onto the top line with Dylan Larkin and Raymond. But he played the left side extensively last season in Ottawa and sometimes in Florida.
“I always play only right and I just took a little bit of time for me to understand the systems, like how the team play and if you know what you’re doing on the ice,” Tarasenko said. “I don’t think there is a difference, like what wing you play. Obviously, right is more natural.”
Tarasenko got the lowdown on the Red Wings from Kane and several of his former teammates with St. Louis who played for the Red Wings.
“A lot of family guys, and they’ve all been happy there,” he said.
“I was lucky to go through some teams able to win the Cup, and the biggest thing is a close group of guys. And that’s what I heard about Detroit, that the guys are very close.”
