One Surprising Team Still In Play For Free Agent Vladimir Tarasenko
The Wild acquired Tarasenko from Detroit last summer for future considerations, and he rewarded that bet with a bounce-back campaign, posting 23 goals and 47 points in 75 games before adding five points in 11 playoff outings as Minnesota advanced past Dallas before falling to Colorado in the second round.
Per Pierre LeBrun, there's a chance a Minnesota team eyeing a deep playoff run in 2026-27 could still want the 34-year-old back.
Why He's Still Unsigned
Part of the delay traces back to a change in representation.
Tarasenko fired longtime agents Pat Brisson and Paul Theofanous in late June and hired Dan Milstein of Gold Star Hockey, who also represents Nikita Kucherov and Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Per a recent report, Milstein's playbook is patience, waiting for a contender to clear cap room rather than rushing into a below-market deal.
Elliotte Friedman called the agent switch "obviously a sign" that Tarasenko would not simply re-sign with Minnesota and would instead test the full market.
The Case For A Return
Even with Milstein testing outside interest, the door to Minnesota has not shut.
The Wild's path back into the picture opened further when fellow forward Marcus Johansson signed in Sweden and winger Mats Zuccarello departed as an additional pending free agent, both clearing space in Minnesota's middle six.
Tarasenko has also spoken directly about wanting to stay, telling reporters he "would love to return" to the Wild.
His underlying numbers back up why Minnesota might want him back, as his best sustained linemates at five-on-five were fellow Russians Danila Yurov and Yakov Trenin, with that trio posting a 63.2 percent goals-for rate in a third-line role.
The Complication
The Wild have very little cap space to work with after re-signing Michael McCarron to a six-year deal, and Minnesota is prioritizing its pursuit of a top-line center this offseason, which could limit what's left over for a Tarasenko reunion.
Tarasenko is not lacking suitors elsewhere.
Buffalo has been searching for scoring help after striking out on Patrick Kane, who ultimately returned to Chicago on a two-year, $16 million deal.
Edmonton has been the most persistent suitor, with Friedman reporting as early as July 3 that the Oilers were re-engaging on Tarasenko once the initial free agency rush settled down, and the fit alongside Leon Draisaitl has obvious appeal.
Not everyone in Edmonton is sold, however, with radio host Jason Gregor pushing back on the idea that Tarasenko still has enough left in the tank to be a difference-maker at this stage of his career.
With his last two contracts coming in around $4.75 million to $5 million annually, and free agency thin on proven scoring, Tarasenko is positioned to land a solid deal somewhere.
