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Photo: NHL.com
Photo: NHL.comThe New York Rangers acquired left-wing Vladimir Tarasenko and defenseman Niko Mikkola from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for left-wing Sammy Blais, defenseman prospect Hunter Skinner, and conditional NHL Draft picks (2023 first-round, 2024 fourth-round).
Keep this in mind: @frank_seravalli reported that he’s hearing Tarasenko is being traded to NYR. That likely means Tarasenko has been asked to waive his no-trade clause to go to Rangers. It could take a bit longer for trade to be finalized and registered. #stlblues
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) February 9, 2023
The 31-year-old, who can become an unrestricted free agent in July, has just 10 goals and 29 points in 38 games this season, including no points in his last five. Tarasenko, who has hit 33 goals and 66 points, respectively, in a season six times over his 11-year NHL career, set career-highs in assists (48) and points (82) in 75 games last season.
In 644 career regular-season games, all with St. Louis, Tarasenko has 262 goals and 553 points. He also has 41 goals and 60 points in 90 postseason outings, including 11 goals and 17 points in 26 to help lead St. Louis to their first Stanley Cup Championship in 2019.
Vladimir Tarasenko, traded to NYR, is a top six sniper. Still very dangerous off the rush in particular. His production at 5v5 has fallen off this season after a big jump last year, but he’s still a good chance creator. #NYR pic.twitter.com/O7uqO69whh
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) February 9, 2023
The addition should boost New York’s offense, which ranks 13th with a 3.22 goals-per-game average and 17th with a 21.4% power-play efficiency.
Mikkola, 26, has recorded three assists, a +2 rating, 41.46% five-on-five Corsi-for percentage, 44.07% five-on-five expected goals-for percentage, and 44.53% five-on-five scoring chances-for percentage in 50 games this season. He has averaged 16:39 per game (fifth among St. Louis defensemen), including 1:51 on the penalty-kill (first). Mikkola has posted four goals, 20 points, and a -2 rating in 139 career NHL games over the last four seasons.
Niko Mikkola, traded to NYR, is a third-pair defensive defenceman. #NYR pic.twitter.com/qOdOEOCgC6
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) February 9, 2023
New York, who ranks third in goals-against per game (2.63) and is tied for 10th on the penalty kill (81.1%), leads the Washington Capitals by six points for third place in the Metropolitan Division with two games in hand.
Blais, who was acquired by New York in the trade that sent left-wing Pavel Buchnevich to St. Louis in July 2021, has five assists in 40 games.
The conditional first-round pick going to St. Louis will be the later of the two that New York currently has (its own and the Dallas Stars’ pick from Nils Lundkvist trade). The 2024 fourth-round pick becomes a third-round pick if New York makes the 2023 postseason.
The NHL Trade Deadline is Friday, March 3 at 3 PM ET. The New York Islanders acquired center Bo Horvat from the Vancouver Canucks for left-wing Anthony Beauvillier, center Aatu Raty, and a 2024 first-round pick (which is top-12 protected) on January 30.
By Harrison Brown
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