NHL Rumors: Tarasenko trade this offseason, Blackhawks like Chiarelli, and Gaudreau’s future
Anthony Scultore
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It wasn’t too long ago that St. Louis Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko made his request for a trade public. The reasoning from Tarasenko was he didn’t like the handling of his shoulder injuries and subsequent surgeries by the team.
This season, Tarasenko being the true professional that he is came to camp in amazing shape. He’s also been one of the Blues top players with 40 points in as many games.
NHL Rumors: Tarasenko deal likely this offseason
The 30 year-old has one more year left on his contract which comes with a $7.5 million AAV and a 10 team no-trade clause.
While conversations occurred on a trade before the season started, St. Louis was adamant about not retaining salary and wanted fair value.
Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic did a recent mailbag and was asked about Tarasenko and his trade demands. While Rutherford notes that he doesn’t check on this very often, the trade request still stands. He added the caveat that it’s unlikely to take place by the deadline.
Has Tarasenko had a change of heart? Has his performance caused Armstrong’s phone to ring? Both are possible. But if something is going to happen, it’s almost certain that it will be after the season.
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Johnny Gaudreau’s Flames future
The Calgary Flames and Johnny Gaudreau decided early on not to discuss his pending UFA status during the season.
“That’s between my agent and [GM Brad Treliving], and I probably won’t answer many questions for you throughout the year on that,” Gaudreau told the media when camp opened.
Calgary was reportedly looking to extend Johnny Gaudreau over the summer. Gaudreau, earns $6.75 million on his current deal. While his next one should be for more, I thought back in October it wouldn’t be that much more; man was I wrong.
The 28 year-old has been on fire (pun intended) in his contract year. With 54 points in 42 games, he is the spark that ignites the Flames (I did it again). This has the discussion shifting from will they trade him to how much will it cost to keep him.
Blackhawks like Peter Chiarelli
What’s old is new again in the NHL, especially when it comes to recycling executives.
“Sources indicate that Peter Chiarelli, who is working with Doug Armstrong and the St. Louis Blues, has been contacted by the Chicago Blackhawks and will interview for their hockey operations vacancy, among others,” Darren Dreger said on TSN’s Insider Trading. “So, this could move very quickly. The interviewing process is expected to begin this weekend and drift into early next week.”
Chiarelli is known for his tenures as a GM in both Boston and Edmonton. With the Bruins he won a Stanley Cup, although his time with the Oilers was much less successful to put it delicately.
