Vladimir Tarasenko said the opportunity to end the Ottawa Senators' six-year Stanley Cup Playoff drought was a factor in his decision to join them, especially with their young, talented nucleus.
The forward signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Senators on July 27, ending the 31-year-old's four-week free agency journey that included a change in agents from Paul Theofanous to J.P. Barry and Pat Brisson. The Senators have not qualified for the playoffs since 2017 and are hoping that Tarasenko, who has scored at least 30 goals in a season six times, can help change that.
"I like that it's a young team and is very hungry to win," Tarasenko said Tuesday. "… The guys really seem like they're ready to make the next step.
"I'm really happy to be part of it."
Tarasenko said he's spoken to captain Brady Tkachuk and veteran forward Claude Giroux about the direction the team is taking. He's also been included as part of the players' group text already and said he's been made to feel very welcome.
"I had time to talk to my family and make a decision," said Tarasenko, who would not confirm reports that he turned down multiyear offers from other teams. "It's an exciting young group of young guys."
That group is led by Tkachuk, the 23-year-old who is the heart and soul of the team. He's joined by difference-makers like forwards Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson, Josh Norris and Shane Pinto, and defensemen Thomas Chabot and Jakob Chychrun, all under 27 years old.
At the same time, the Senators were in need of a top-six forward when it became apparent Alex DeBrincat did not want to stay with Ottawa in the long term. Ottawa traded DeBrincat, a 25-year-old who scored 66 points (27 goals, 39 assists) in 82 games last season, to the Detroit Red Wings on July 7.
Enter Tarasenko, who should be a seamless fit on the top two lines and on the power play.
Selected by St. Louis in the first round (No. 16) of the 2010 NHL Draft, Tarasenko has 574 points (270 goals, 304 assists) in 675 regular-season games with the Blues and New York Rangers, and 64 points (44 goals, 20 assists) in 97 playoff games. He scored at least 33 goals in five consecutive seasons (2014-19), including an NHL career-high 40 in 2015-16.
He's fifth in St. Louis history in goals (262) and points (553), and second with 41 goals in the playoffs, 26 behind Brett Hull (67). Tarasenko's 11 goals were second on St. Louis to Jaden Schwartz (12) during the 2019 playoffs, when the Blues won the Stanley Cup.
Tarasenko had 50 points (18 goals, 32 assists) in 69 regular-season games for the Blues and New York Rangers last season, including 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) in 31 games after New York acquired him in a trade with St. Louis on Feb. 9. He had four points (three goals, one assist) in seven playoff games.
Tarasenko said he feels he can rebound from what has been described as an off season for him.
"Last year there was a lot of stuff going on," he said. "It's in the past and we're excited about the chance."
Even if that chance comes in the omnipresent spotlight that comes with playing in a Canadian market, which he'll be doing for the first time?
"I mean, it's always kind of a nervous situation when you come to a new place," Tarasenko said. "And I think me and my family were excited about the chance to play in Canada because we heard some stories about how people love hockey.
"Of course I'm nervous a little bit, but I'm pretty sure when I get there, it will settle down, we're going to get a house and I'll be ready to help the team as much as I can."
The Senators (39-35-8) finished sixth in the Atlantic Division last season, six points behind the Florida Panthers for the second wild card from the Eastern Conference.
"I saw they were a team who won a lot last season," he said. "Yeah, they didn't make the playoffs. But they played well.
"It's very exciting when you have a challenge ahead of you. We're excited to be part of it and to maybe share my experience that I've had in previous years. Help the team win the next step, win more games, make the playoffs and go from there."
