Breaking NHL Trade: Red Wings Ship Out Tarasenko

Vladimir Tarasenko has been traded by Detroit to the Minnesota Wild

To say things didn't go well for Vladimir Tarasenko in Detroit this past season is an understatement. The Red Wings have now dealt the former two-time Stanley Cup champion to the Minnesota Wild for future considerations.

UPDATE: The #RedWings have traded Vladimir Tarasenko to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for future considerations. pic.twitter.com/NVFj0YzFH5
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) June 30, 2025

Tarasenko, who has one year remaining on his two-year deal paying him a $4.75 AAV, has six 30-goal seasons on his resume, but plummeted to just 11 goals and 33 points in 80 games for Detroit this past season, dropping to third-line duties.

The 33-year-old will try to right the ship in Minnesota.

There was no salary retained by the Red Wings, and one must assume that GM Steve Yzerman is up to something, as they now have $23 million in cap room for Free Agency.

The move also means that the Wild have given up on trying to land a free agent forward like Brock Boeser or Nikolaj Ehlers, who they have been linked to in recent days and weeks.

Per Michael Russo of The Athletic, "This trade essentially buys them a year to scour the landscape for a winger they do want to invest in via trade or free agency, or further develop from within their deep prospect pool."

Tarasenko has 304 goals, 358 assists, and 662 points in 831 career NHL games.