NHL Rumors: Blues & Hurricanes Emerging as Trade Partners

The St Louis Blues and Carolina Hurricanes could provide us with a summer blockbuster as the two teams were recently linked to a trade involving Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko. The Russian forward who led the Blues in scoring last season is still holding firm on his trade request and it sounds like this offseason could finally be the time we see St Louis pull the trigger on a deal.

The Blues are in the market for some help on the left-side of their defense, and have recently swung and missed on Ryan McDonagh. The team has been notified by Tarasenko he'd still like to be moved, and now Carolina is emerging as a prime destination. Hockey insider Frank Seravalli had this to say on the potential of a Tarasenko trade from the Blues this offseason:

Unlike Jake DeBrusk, Tarasenko’s trade request has never been rescinded...He was a force, led the team in scoring, yet was still only sixth among Blues forwards in ice time. Now, Tarasenko is one year away from free agency, and the benefit for the Blues is they can certainly get more for him this time around as a proven difference maker. He could be the game breaker the Hurricanes desire.

Carolina is looking for a game-changer up front, meanwhile have the likes of defensemen Brady Skjei and Brett Pesce who the Blues could have some serious interest in. Keep an eye on these two teams as they both have a definitive need and could be matching up nicely as trade partners this summer.

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