Tarasenko excited to bring offense and experience to Detroit

DETROIT -- Vladimir Tarasenko officially became a member of the Detroit Red Wings when he signed a two-year free-agent contract on July 3, but the 32-year-old forward arrives in Detroit already knowing a handful of his new teammates.

Tarasenko, who played his first 11 NHL seasons with the St. Louis Blues, played with goalie Ville Husso from 2020-22. He was also teammates with Tyler Motte and Patrick Kane on the New York Rangers in 2022-23.

So when considering his free-agency options, Tarasenko said he contacted Kane to learn more about Detroit.

“I liked the way the team played last year,” Tarasenko said in an introductory Zoom call with the media on July 8. “I decided with the family this is the best decision for us moving forward. We are really excited about it. It’s a new chapter for us. We can’t wait to get to Detroit, get settled and start Training Camp.”

Tarasenko split last season between the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers, recording 55 points (23 goals, 32 assists) in 76 regular-season games. He also earned nine points (five goals, four assists) in 24 postseason games with Florida, helping the club win its first-ever Stanley Cup championship.

Originally selected by St. Louis with the 16th overall pick in the 2010 NHL Draft, Tarasenko has 629 points (293 goals, 336 assists) in 751 games with the Blues, Rangers, Senators and Panthers.

"I think he is going to be so good for the group,” Kane said about Tarasenko. “He’s a proven winner. The way he plays, how hard he plays - I think a lot of players in general, not just young guys, will see how hard he works and how much effort he gives every shift. That’s why he has a couple Stanley Cups to his name too.”

Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman said Tarasenko will boost Detroit’s offense.

“A little bit different type of player than our wingers Lucas (Raymond), Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat,” Yzerman said about Tarasenko on July 4. “A left-shot who will fill out that top-six, top-nine group. A scorer and straight-ahead guy who is big, strong and will go to the net. We feel that’s a really good addition.”

A natural right wing, Tarasenko said he’s comfortable shifting to the left side or filling any role that Detroit’s coaching staff asks of him this season.

“I played left last season for the first time in my life,” Tarasenko said. “I’ve always played only right. It took a little bit of time to understand the systems, like how the team played. If you know what you’re doing on the ice, I don’t think there is a difference on what wing you play.”

Tarasenko said he’s best known for his offense but he’s grown to appreciate the defensive side of the puck throughout his 12-year NHL career.

"I still like to score goals, don’t get me wrong," Tarasenko said. “Not only team, but I have some personal goals too. I never wanted to not play defense. Sometimes I just don’t understand what to do. But as the years have gone by, the more I played, I just realized you have to do this for your team to win the championship.”

Tarasenko was born and raised in Yaroslavl, Russia, but said he’s always had an affinity for the Red Wings.  

“Detroit is one of the most famous if not the most famous team in the world when you talk about hockey history,” Tarasenko said. “Growing up in Russia, a lot of people followed Detroit because of the Russian Five. On my first PlayStation, I played with Detroit with my friends.”

And now, Tarasenko said his family is excited to start their next chapter in Detroit.

“My kids play hockey too,” Tarasenko said. “I know Detroit has some of the best youth hockey programs in the States, which is nice too. We are obviously very happy about the trust from the organization to give us a deal. We can come and settle, just be together as a family.”