Rangers add All-Star Vladimir Tarasenko in blockbuster trade with Blues

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The New York Rangers made a blockbuster trade with the St. Louis Blues, adding two-time All-Star and Stanley Cup champion Vladimir Tarasenko on Thursday, the team announced. 

The full trade is Tarasenko and defenseman Niko Mikkola to the Rangers for a conditional 2023 first-round pick, a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick, Sammy Blais and Rangers prospect Hunter Skinner. 

Tarasenko is on the final year of his contract with the Blues, who are below .500 this season at 23-25-3 thus far. Needing a winger, the Rangers pounced on the opportunity to add his right-handed stick to their top six. 

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Vladimir Tarasenko of the St. Louis Blues during a first period stoppage of play against the Jets at Canada Life Centre on Jan. 30, 2023, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. (Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)

In order to fit the rest of his $7.5 million cap hit for this season, the Blues will retain half of Tarasenko’s contract. Mikkola’s $1.9 million cap hit fits on the Rangers’ books after waiving defenseman Libor Hajek. 

Tarasenko is in his 11th season in the NHL, and the Rangers are only his second team. St. Louis drafted him 16th overall in the 2010 NHL Draft, and he’s been a constant in their lineup ever since. 

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At 23 years old in his third season, Tarasenko broke out with 73 points (37 goals, 36 assists) with a plus-27 rating in 77 games to cement his place in the Blues’ top six. 

Vladimir Tarasenko of the Blues looks to shoot against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Enterprise Center on