Report: Vladimir Tarasenko To Start Regular Season With St. Louis Blues

St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong has stated that he anticipates that Vladimir Tarasenko will be playing opening-night with the team, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Earlier this week, we reported that head coach Craig Berube expected Tarasenko at training camp, so this new development is not all that surprising. However, it does mean that the Blues will have their talented forward for at least a little while longer.

The Blues are still expected to look at potential trade options for Tarasenko, as the disgruntled winger has requested a change of scenery. He has two years left on his contract and a $7.5 million AAV.

Tarasenko was limited to just 24 games this past season with the Blues. In them, he scored four goals and had 14 points. The season before, he only played 10 games and had exactly 10 points. If he can stay healthy this season, no matter if he's traded or not, he should be able to be a strong offensive contributor yet again.

We will have to wait and see what ends up happening with the NHL 17 cover athlete, but until then, expect him to be on the Blues for the beginning of the year.