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Could Colorado Avalanche look into Vladimir Tarasenko?

By Graham Tiedtke

Apr 20, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New York Rangers right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) celebrates his goal with teammates during the second period in game two of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New York Rangers right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) celebrates his goal with teammates during the second period in game two of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Colorado Avalanche are hoping to find their way back to Stanley Cup champion form in 2023-24 after falling short in the first round of this past season’s playoffs. Unfortunately, they did lose several pieces such as Evan Rodrigues, Darren Helm (retirement), J.T. Compher, Erik Johnson, Lars Eller, and Matt Nieto. One name the team could look at is former St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers wing Vladimir Tarasenko. Despite Tarasenko’s talented past, he remains a free agent several weeks after free agency began.

Colorado countered their departures by adding Miles Wood, Jonathan Drouin, and Ross Colton, and re-signing Andrew Cogliano and Jack Johnson. I’m not entirely sure that these moves are enough, despite the number of additions. Could the Avalanche look to add a high-profile talent in the near future?

Tarasenko had a rough 2022-23 season, recording just eight goals and 13 assists in 31 games. One concern teams might have is that he has had multiple surgeries on his shoulder. Needless to say, the shoulder is not something hockey players can take lightly as far as recovery.

If his shoulder checks out, the Colorado Avalanche could take a flier on him by signing him to a one-year deal worth maybe $2 million. Colorado currently has the league-maximum 23 players on its roster right now but can send one of them down to the Colorado Eagles; guys such as Jean Luc-Foudy and Sampo Ranta.

Where could Tarasenko fit in? As a right winger, Tarasenko would likely be on the third line with Miles Wood and Ross Colton as the team’s first two lines are set with Mikko Rantanen and Valeri Nichushkin. Putting him on a lower line does not mean he’s a lesser player; it just means that the team would be adding depth to a lower line. That’s a good thing.

If Tarasenko is willing to play on any line the Colorado Avalanche put him on, this could work out for both sides. The Avalanche were known last season to experiment by putting players on different lines throughout the year because of the rash of injuries they suffered, so they are no strangers to that sort of thing. It’s possible, also, that their vision for their other additions could change.

Vladimir Tarasenko could be a low-risk, high-reward signing if the Avalanche decide to make the move.

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