Seven trade destinations to watch for Ottawa Senators’ Vladimir Tarasenko

We continue to provide you with at least one trade deadline focused story each day on Daily Faceoff leading up to the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline on March 8.

Today, we focus on possible landing spots for Ottawa Senators right winger Vladimir Tarasenko, a sensible consolation prize for teams who miss out on the top winger options in Jake Guentzel and Pavel Buchnevich.

2024 NHL Trade Deadline Countdown: 4 days

Last season, Tarasenko felt like one of the higher-end targets approaching the trade deadline. He was a 2019 Stanley Cup winner with the St. Louis Blues, one of the better goal-scoring wingers of his generation and less than a season removed from a 34-goal, 82-point campaign in 2021-22. He fetched a price befitting a player viewed as a major upgrade to a Stanley Cup contender; the Blues secured a conditional 2023 first-round pick, checking forward Sammy Blais and lower-end prospect Hunter Skinner from the New York Rangers for Tarasenko and blueliner Niko Mikkola.

A year later: toiling with the Senators, Tarasenko feels like more of a rock-solid complementary piece than someone who sparks a bidding war between juggernauts at the deadline. Now 32, he’s south of a point per game for a second consecutive season. But he has brought a respected voice to Ottawa’s dressing room and provided decent secondary scoring. Ottawa has outscored opponents 42-34 with Tarasenko on the ice at 5-on-5 this season. For teams that don’t succeed in chasing the bigger fish or don’t have the assets even to try, Tarasenko is a good fallback who should carry a slightly lower acquisition cost than he did a year ago. A second-round pick and prospect, give or take, is GM Steve Staios’ reported asking price.

Which destinations make the most sense for Tarasenko as the deadline nears? Consider these seven teams. And keep in mind Tarasenko has a full no-trade clause and can control his destiny.

Boston Bruins

Why he makes sense: The Bruins are down two top-nine forwards with Pavel Zacha and Matt Poitras hurt. They could use some finishing, as no Bruins winger aside from David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand will reach 20 goals this season. Given the Bruins don’t have a 2024 first-round pick and are barren in prospect assets, they can’t afford to bid on someone in the Guentzel/Buchnevich tier, so Tarasenko feels like a realistic target.

What it might cost: Boston doesn’t have a second-round pick until 2026 or even a third-rounder until 2025. So GM Don Sweeney would have to sell Staios on a pick he doesn’t get to use this June – or offer a lower pick and sweeten it with a prospect.

Fly in the ointment: The Bruins are just so asset poor right now that they’re likely to be outgunned if they get into any kind of tug-of-war with rival suitors. They’re also capped out and would need Ottawa to retain some of Tarasenko’s $5 million cap hit, which would theoretically increase his acquisition cost.

Carolina Hurricanes

Why he makes sense: If the Canes aren’t kicking tires on every premium scoring forward in the coming days, someone needs to give GM Don Waddell’s head a shake. This team badly needs to break through and reach a Stanley Cup Final given how consistently it has excelled in the regular season. The Canes are seemingly a game-breaker short in the playoffs every year.

What it might cost: As one of the few contenders with two 2024 second-round picks, one of whom belongs to the Philadelphia Flyers and will thus be higher in the draft, Carolina is well positioned to bid competitively on Tarasenko. The Canes also have about $5.87 million in projected deadline-day cap space, so his AAV isn’t a problem.

Fly in the ointment: A consolation prize isn’t good enough for a team on track to have one 30-goal scorer this season. Aim bigger, Mr. Waddell. Guentzel or Buchnevich, nothing less.

Edmonton Oilers

Why he makes sense: The Oilers’ clear desire for an additional top-six winger needs little introduction at this point. Connor Brown was supposed to be that player this season but, stupefyingly, sits at zero goals through 51 games. The Oilers are all-in, and Tarasenko would be a plan B if they can’t land reported top target Buchnevich. Even if Tarasenko is past his prime, his finishing would play up with all the sublime talent that would surround him in Edmonton.

What it might cost: The Oilers have their second-round pick in 2024 and 2026, not to mention all their upcoming firsts and two of their next three thirds. It wouldn’t be too difficult for GM Ken Holland to cook up a package worthy of Tarasenko.

Fly in the ointment: I’ll try not to repeat what I said in my breakdowns of Guentzel and Buchnevich destinations too much. To summarize: (a) the Oilers are capped out and would need retention help and to move a body out; and (b) they arguably need defense and an insurance policy in net more than they do scoring.

Florida Panthers

Why he makes sense: The Panthers hold down first overall in the NHL standings. They’re coming off a 2023 Stanley Cup Final berth. They couldn’t be more “win now.” They don’t have a first-round pick for the next two years, however, having surrendered them in 2022 trades for Claude Giroux and Matthew Tkachuk. Tarasenko represents the ideal tier of player GM Bill Zito could afford to pursue if he wants to further fortify his top-nine forward group.

What he might cost: The Panthers own their 2025 and 2026 third-round picks and their next three third-rounders. They’re also well positioned from a cap space perspective as a team that might not need salary retention to fit Tarasenko’s $5 million in. That can keep the acquisition cost down.

Fly in the ointment: As this stage of his career, is Tarasenko going to be that big of an upgrade over Nick Cousins, Eetu Luostarinen and Evan Rodrigues in the top nine? Florida is plenty good already. Are they better off just rolling with what they have? It worked well following their quiet 2023 deadline.

New York Islanders

Why he makes sense: He probably doesn’t. Doesn’t matter. It’s Lou Lamoriello. If his team is within shouting distance of a playoff berth, he’s willing to pony up. Under mid-season coaching replacement Patrick Roy, the Isles have found a groove of late, winning three straight games. They’re now six points back of the Detroit Red Wings for the last Eastern Conference Wildcard spot and have three games in hand. They’re also five back of the Philadelphia Flyers for third in the Atlantic Division and have two games in hand. Tarasenko would qualify as an affordable acquisition and send a message to a veteran team that their GM wants them to make a push.

What it might cost: Over the next three drafts, the Islanders own all three first-round picks, two seconds and two thirds, so they could compete for Tarasenko.

Fly in the ointment: The Isles are beyond capped out. Even with 50 percent salary retention knocking Tarasenko down to $2.5 million, they can’t afford him. They’d need to send a contract out and/or look for third-party help and pursue a trade allowing them to pay only 25 percent of Tarasenko’s cap hit at $1.25 million. That would cost them an extra pick. It’s also worth noting the Isles’ playoff chances sit at 23.7 percent. If they lose Tuesday and Thursday, they’d be better off heading into Deadline Day Friday as sellers.

New York Rangers

Why he makes sense: Anyone paying attention to the Rangers’ season understands they have a gaping hole at right wing. Blake Wheeler is out for the year, and a rotation of Kaapo Kakko and Jimmy Vesey on the first line is nowhere near good enough for any team seriously considering itself a Stanley Cup contender.

What it might cost: The Rangers have burned through a lot of picks in the past couple years, including the one they used to get Tarasenko last February, but they do hold their 2024 second-rounder and their next three first-rounders. While they can’t quite fit Tarasenko under the cap as is, they could make it work with a bit of retention from Ottawa.

Fly in the ointment: Been there, done that? The comfort of a reunion might be a bit overrated in this case. Tarasenko was a good, not great addition for New York last year, delivering 11 goals and 25 points in 38 games between the regular season and playoffs. Also, he spent quite a bit of time with Artemi Panarin last year, and that partnership might not be available anymore given how well ‘Bread’ has meshed with Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere. Coach Peter Laviolette might not want to disturb his most consistent line.

Vegas Golden Knights

Why he makes sense: The Golden Knights need at least one forward and will likely stop at nothing to get one. Jack Eichel remains out, as does Mark Stone, and if Vegas slides the latter’s $9.5 million cap hit to LTIR, that’s some serious coin for GM Kelly McCrimmon to wield this week. Vegas could afford to secure someone like Tarasenko and have more than enough room to hunt for a bargain cap hit such as Max Pacioretty’s.

What it might cost: Vegas punted a prospect in Zach Dean rather than a pick when it landed Ivan Barbashev at the deadline last year. McCrimmon quietly has all his picks in the first three rounds for the 2024, 2025 and 2026 drafts. Giddyup.

Fly in the ointment: With their two best forwards out, it would make sense for the Golden Knights to chase the shiniest things first. That means shooting their shot for Guentzel and Buchnevich. Tarasenko should be more of a secondary or tertiary option for them.