Vladamir Tarasenko on staying with Blues: “No chance!”

Vladimir Tarasenko is officially a member of the New York Rangers, having been acquired in a blockbuster deal from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Sammy Blais, Hunter Skinner, a conditional 2023 first-round pick and a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick. Additionally, the Blues are retaining 50% of Tarasenko's cap hit. 

Tarasenko skated for the first time with his new team earlier today, and he'll be in the lineup tonight at Madison Square Garden for his Rangers debut against the visiting Seattle Kraken. And needless to say, the newest member of the team is excited to get going in his new professional home. 

"I'm happy to join the New York Rangers, see some friends of mine," Tarasenko said. "The group of guys seems very nice, they gave me a warm welcome. I feel very, very good."

Tarasenko is now teammates with a fellow Russian sniper in Artemi Panarin, who was lured to the big lights of the Big Apple from the midwest in the summer of 2019. He also set the record straight of his time with the Blues, stating very plainly that there was "no chance" that he was going to be staying. 

"There was no chance I was staying in St. Louis," he continued. "No deal was offered, so I knew I was going to be moved somewhere. I talked with Artemi (Panarin) and they want me here. I want to be here, too. It's a big team, one of my best friends plays here, and it’s a chance to win a Cup again. It's our motivation."

As you may remember, Tarasenko requested a trade out of St. Louis last season, but would later rescind the request. However, that chapter of his career is now officially closed. Whether or not Tarasenko remains with the Rangers beyond this season remains to be seen, but a deep playoff run will certainly go a long way in enticing him to stay in the Big Apple.