🏒💰 Senators Bet Big on Tarasenko: A $5M Gamble or a Genius Move? 🤔
TL;DR; Ottawa Senators just got their hands on a hotshot NHL free agent, Vladimir Tarasenko. With a fresh one-year $5 million deal, the question is – are they scoring a goal or taking a penalty here? 🥅🔥
The Scoop
So, the Ottawa Senators just whipped out their wallets and snagged Vladimir Tarasenko, one of the hottest names in NHL free agency. No biggie, right? Just $5 million for a year’s service of a guy who’s known to throw some serious ice magic. 🧙♂️❄️
But wait, before we drop the gloves, let’s break this down. Tarasenko just wrapped up a season with the New York Rangers, after a rather unexpected trade from the St. Louis Blues. And the dude knows how to keep the scoreboard ticking – 18 goals and 50 points split between the two teams. 🏒💥
Digging Deeper
Vladimir ain’t new to the game; the guy’s a seasoned player. With 262 goals in 644 career games and crossing the 30-goal mark SIX times in his 11 seasons, Tarasenko seems like a sure bet. Remember 2019? Tarasenko was on fire, netting 11 goals, and propelling the Blues to their first-ever Stanley Cup. 🏆🎉
But here’s the catch (there’s always one, isn’t there?): Health. Between 2019-2021, our main man underwent not one, not two, but THREE shoulder surgeries. Ouch! Yet, Tarasenko bounced back with a whopping 34 goals and 82 points in the 2021-22 season. The dude’s resilient! 💪🚑
Ottawa’s Plan?
So, why did the Senators want Tarasenko in their corner? Well, after letting go of Alex DeBrincat to the Detroit Red Wings (a whole different story), the Senators needed some fresh firepower on the wing. And though Tarasenko might not bring the same dynamism as DeBrincat, he definitely promises offensive sparks and that much-needed veteran touch to a team that’s rebuilding. 🏗️🔄
Questions Everywhere!
But here are the biggies: Is Tarasenko’s health going to be a concern? Was this the right move for the Senators, or just a shot in the dark? And with such talent on board, can the Senators turn their game around next season? 🤷♂️
Provoking Thought
Vladimir Tarasenko, with all his talent and history, is undoubtedly a great catch for any team. His resilience post surgeries and consistent performance can’t be overlooked. But will this $5 million investment pay off for the Senators in terms of both performance and ticket sales?
🤔 So, what do you think? Did the Senators just nail the best deal of the year or are they skating on thin ice with this one? 🧊💭
