Livescore
As the Blues hit the halfway point in the season, they will have to get through at least January without winger Vladimir Tarasenko.
Tarasenko, 31, was the Blues’ selection for the 2023 All-Star Game. He played in 34 contests before the injury, recording 10 goals and 19 assists, totaling 29 points. He also has seven power play assists and two goals on the man advantage.
Not only is Tarasenko set to miss time, but captain Ryan O’Reilly was injured during the same game. He is expected to be out for at least six weeks with a broken foot and was also placed on injured reserve.
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Here are the latest updates on Tarasenko’s injury.
What is Vladimir Tarasenko’s injury?
The Blues stated that Tarasenko is out with a hand injury that he suffered in a contest against the Wild on Saturday, Dec. 31.
During the game against the Wild, Tarasenko blocked a wrist shot from Wild defenseman Matt Dumba in the first period. He went to the bench and talked to the athletic trainer for an extended period of time.
Here is the injury to Vladimir Tarasenko, who blocked a shot with his right hand in the first period. pic.twitter.com/cw7cYKXWMy
— Matthew DeFranks (@MDeFranks) January 1, 2023
After roughly four minutes, Tarasenko returned to the ice for a Blues power play. He left the game at the end of the period and did not return.
While the team did not confirm a break, his teammate Pavel Buchnevich said that Tarasenko told him “he broke the hand and he (couldn’t) hold the stick.”
How long will Vladimir Tarasenko be out?
St. Louis announced that Tarasenko’s hand would be re-evaluated in four weeks.
The Blues will have to navigate the rest of January without their top point scorer, with the potential of Tarasenko missing time in February.
Vladimir Tarasenko contract details
Tarasenko is in the final year of his eight-year, $60 million contract he signed with the Blues in 2015. He is set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
The winger has been in trade rumors for the last couple of seasons. Tarasenko formally requested a trade in the summer of 2021, but ultimately remained with the team.
Given Tarasenko’s pending free agency, he would have been a valuable piece for GM Doug Armstrong to move at the trade deadline. A move could still be made with the Blues currently on the outside of the playoff picture and an extension for Tarasenko seemingly not in the works. However, the value of the Blues forward has taken a hit with the recent injury.
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