Rangers Acquire Vladimir Tarasenko

Chris Drury made the move that New York Rangers fans have been waiting since last offseason. He finally acquired a top 6 Right Wing. The Rangers acquired 4-time All-Star and 6-time 30 goal scorer Vladimir Tarasenko and defenseman Niko Mikkola from the St. Louis Blues. Almost just as important, they did not have to give up any of their top young players to acquire him. The details of the trade:

Have to tip your cap to Chris Drury. He solved the Rangers biggest issue, a top-line Right Winger, and bolstered the team’s defensive depth. While only giving up one major asset in one of their 2023 1st round draft picks. He also moved on from two of players that drew the ire of the fanbase in Sammy Blais and Libor Hajek, who was waived in a corresponding move to the trade.

Vladimir Tarasenko

What are the Rangers getting? The shot first Right Wing they have long coveted to pair with Artemi Panarin. Tarasenko just appeared in his 4th All-Star Game last weekend and is coming off a 33-goal season last year. While his 10 goals this season are not on pace with his usual scoring pace, the Blues have been crushed by injuries, and playing on a line with Panarin and Zibanejad will bring out the best in him. The next question is the power play. Does Tarasenko bump someone out of the first unit? Or does he play with the kids on the second unit?

Niko Mikkola

Lost in all the Tarasenko excitement is the fact Niko Mikkola is included in the deal as well. What are the Rangers getting in Mikkola? A big 6’4 stay at home defenseman that solidifies the Rangers defensive depth. Mikkola and Ben Harpur will battle it out for the 6th d-man spot but they both give the Rangers solid options in the 6/7 spots. The 26-year-old Finnish defenseman can kill penalties and was averaging 16:39 of ice time with St. Louis. His 96 hits this year lead all Blues defensemen and his +2 rating was the 3rd best on the team.

What did the Rangers give up?

Sammy Blais just never got it going in New York. After the Rangers acquired him from the Blues in the Pavel Buchnevich trade, he had a great preseason but an ugly knee injury early in the season derailed his Rangers career. Blais will end his Rangers tenure playing without scoring a goal while playing in 54 games. He now will go back to St. Louis where he won a Stanley Cup and look to get his game back on track.

Hunter Skinner was the prospect included. The Rangers drafted Skinner in the 4th round pick of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. He is an offensive minded defenseman that has bounced around between the AHL and ECHL since turning pro. He should see more of an AHL opportunity with St. Louis.

Are the Rangers done?

I do not think so. The Rangers still need to address their struggling 4th line. There are already trade rumblings that Drury has expressed interest in a few depth forwards around the league. Maybe a possible reunion with Tyler Motte? Ottawa has made him available at the deadline. Today’s trade made the Rangers a serious contender for the Stanley Cup and is a signal to the rest of the league that they are all in.

For the latest New York Rangers news, updates, trade rumors and interviews go check out The Broadway Hat Podcast.

Be sure to bookmark our hockey page for hockey coverage and follow Belly Up Hockey on Twitter: @BellyUpHockey. Follow me on Twitter for more takes on the New York Rangers and USA Hockey: @KHallNY. You can also listen to my NY Rangers podcast The Broadway Hat Podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify for Rangers news and interviews with past and current players.