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50 Most Outstanding Players in St. Louis Blues History: 20-11

By Patrick Karraker

Jan 2, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) skates in the game against the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2016 Winter Classic ice hockey game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) skates in the game against the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2016 Winter Classic ice hockey game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) looks on in the game against the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2016 Winter Classic ice hockey game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) looks on in the game against the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2016 Winter Classic ice hockey game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

12. Vladimir Tarasenko

Forward, 2013-present; 320 games, 134 goals, 131 assists, plus-47 rating, 104 PIM

Considering the fact that he made his debut during a lockout-shortened season and missed 10 games that year with a concussion, Vladimir Tarasenko has really only played about four seasons in the NHL. The 25-year-old has made the most of his time in the league, though, and he’s already established himself as one of the best forwards in franchise history.

After heating up near the end of the season in 2013-14, Tarasenko really came into his own starting in 2014-15. As a 23-year-old, he finished tied for fifth in league with 37 goals, and for the first time, he led the Blues with 73 points. He stepped up his performance again in 2015-16, collecting 40 goals–a total that was good for fourth in the NHL and marked the first 40-goal season by a Blues player since Brad Boyes had 43 in 2007-08–as well as 34 assists.

Up until his collapse over the final two rounds of the postseason last spring, Tarasenko had also been one of the best playoff performers in Blues history. Even after registering no points during the first five games of the Blues’ six-game series loss to the Sharks in the Western Conference Finals, Tarasenko still has an impressive 26 points in 33 career postseason games.

As of our publishing date, Tarasenko is eighth in Blues history in goals per game (0.42). He’s participated in three straight All-Star games, earned votes for the Lady Byng trophy in 2014-15, and has earned votes for the Hart Trophy after the past two seasons. Since he’s only in the second season of an eight-year deal, it’s very probable that Tarasenko will make himself one of the top 10 players in franchise history before it’s all said and done.

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