The St. Louis Blues Stanley Cup Title defense took a hit when General Manager Doug Armstrong announced on Monday that forward Vladimir Tarasenko will undergo shoulder surgery.
Tarasenko is expected to be out at least five months. We will see if he even returns in time for the end of the regular season and the start of the postseason.
Vladimir Tarasenko is 27 years old and he is one the best goal scorers in the NHL. He injured himself in a game this past Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings.
In 10 games so far this season, Tarasenko has scored three goals and recorded seven assists. His plus/minus is -2.
St. Louis is currently in third place in the Central Division. Their record so far this season is 6-3-3 with 15 points. The Blues have scored 37 goals and they have given up 39 goals so far this season.
St. Louis is probably going to have to trade for another goal scorer at some point. Ryan O’Reilly has three goals so far this season.
David Perron has six goals so far this season and Brayden Schenn leads the team with nine goals. This team isn’t deep with goal scorers. The St. Louis Blues rely on winning games by goaltending and the blue line transitioning from defense into offense.
This team also plays a very heavy style of hockey, but they are also very skilled and fast. Sammy Blais needs to step up. He has scored three goals so far this season and Jaden Schwartz has only scored one goal so far this season.
This Vladimir Tarasenko injury for the St. Louis Blues is going to hurt big time. There will be a point during the regular season that this team is going to feel it and it is going to be up to Head Coach Craig Berube to fill that void. Vladimir Tarasenko to have shoulder surgery. What will happen with this team moving forward without him?
