How Newly Acquired Vladimir Tarasenko Fits On The Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild made a trade on Monday for veteran goal-scorer Vladimir Tarasenko from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for future considerations. 

It's a low-risk, high-reward type of move if Tarasenko can get back to what he once was. The 6-foot forward has 304 goals, 358 assists, and 662 points in 831 career NHL games. He is coming off a bit of a down year with the Red Wings after signing a two-year contract with the team. 

Vladimir Tarasenko, acquired by MIN, is a veteran scoring winger who didn't score very much last year. Has definitely lost a step and isn't even the prolific chance creator he was a few years ago. pic.twitter.com/OdLou2tR5D

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) June 30, 2025

Tarasenko, 33, recorded 11 goals and 33 points during the 2024-25 season with the Red Wings and was a minus-13.

He is a two-time Stanley Cup Champion and previously won the Cup with the Florida Panthers in 2024. He had five goals and nine points in 24 playoff games that year. In 2019, Tarasenko won the cup with the St. Louis Blues. He had 11 goals and 17 points in 26 playoff games that year. 

The Wild currently have 12 NHL forwards under contract following the Tarasenko trade. Tarasenko is the fourth-highest paid forward on the team. Restricted Free Agent Marco Rossi does not have a contract currently. PuckPedia has the Wild at just under $13 million in cap space. 

Here is how the lines shake up for the start of the season. 

Forwards:

Kirill Kaprizov - Joel Eriksson Ek - Mats Zuccarello

Matt Boldy - Ryan Hartman - Vladimir Tarasenko

Marcus Johansson - Danila Yurov - Marcus Foligno

Liam Ohgren - Vinnie Hinostroza - Yakov Trenin

Defense: 

Jake Middleton - Brock Faber

Zeev Buium - Jared Spurgeon 

Zach Bogosian - David Jiricek

Goalies: 

Filip Gustavsson 

Jesper Wallstedt

Injured: Jonas Brodin

In the mix: David Spacek, Riley Heidt, Cameron Butler and Carson Lambos. 

Nonetheless, it seems like the Wild have a lot of work to do come Tuesday to fill out the roster more. It remains to be seen whether or not Rossi will be on the Wild next year. But adding a center for the fourth line will be priority this offseason.