The Minnesota Wild are looking to veteran forward Vladimir Tarasenko to elevate his offensive performance as the team navigates a challenging season. Despite Tarasenko’s impressive history as a scorer, his contributions have waned since he joined the Wild from the Detroit Red Wings this summer.
As the team prepared for a game against the Vancouver Canucks on March 2, 2024, Tarasenko had recorded only two goals and eight assists in his first 21 games with Minnesota. Additionally, he missed seven games in late November due to a lower-body injury, impacting his consistency on the ice. In his three games since returning, he had not registered a point until the matchup against the Canucks.
Wild head coach John Hynes expressed optimism about Tarasenko’s overall performance. “I think Vladdy’s playing pretty solid. I think his details are strong,” Hynes stated after the team’s morning skate. He emphasized the importance of Tarasenko finding more scoring opportunities, acknowledging the veteran’s reputation as a proven goal scorer. “I think he needs to find some opportunities to get his shot more and use his shot in scoring situations,” Hynes added.
Tarasenko, originally from Siberia, has a storied career that includes winning two Stanley Cups, one with the St. Louis Blues in 2019 and another with the Florida Panthers in 2024. His ability to score goals has long made him a formidable opponent for the Wild. However, since his transfer to Minnesota, he has not yet reached the same level of offensive production.
In his last season with Detroit, Tarasenko managed to score 11 goals and tally 33 points over 80 games. The Red Wings traded him to Minnesota essentially at no cost, but Hynes recognized the need to integrate the veteran into the Wild’s culture. To support this transition, he even visited Tarasenko’s family home in South Florida shortly after the trade.
While Hynes is eager for more offensive output from Tarasenko, he also values the forward’s contributions beyond scoring. “I think he plays without the puck really well, I think he’s competitive. He makes a lot of the right decisions,” Hynes noted. Following a recent game against the Calgary Flames, Hynes highlighted a productive line that included Tarasenko, Nico Sturm, and Yakov Trenin, suggesting that Tarasenko is making strides in his gameplay.
The Wild have faced difficulties in their recent games, scoring just four goals in their last three outings before meeting the Canucks. As the team continues to seek offensive improvements, Hynes reiterated the importance of Tarasenko rediscovering his scoring touch. “Seeing more of that shot which used to frustrate Wild fans would be a good addition to Tarasenko’s contributions in Minnesota,” he concluded.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as Tarasenko looks to regain his scoring form and help the Wild in their pursuit of success this season.
