Tarasenko Rejected Offers From 3 Teams Prior To Signing With Senators

The Ottawa Senators have reeled in a big free agent in Vladimir Tarasenko to make up for the loss of Alex Debrincat, who they traded earlier in the offseason. Coming back in the trade, they also got Dominik Kubalik, so with Tarasenko now expected to fill in on the second line, Kubalik can now be a strong third liner.

Before the Senators signed Tarasenko to a one-year, $5 million AAV deal, the sniper was talking to multiple other teams. It was revealed by Jeremy Rutherford that Tarasenko rejected offers from the Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, and San Jose Sharks.

The Panthers and Hurricanes are easily understandable it the sense that they are both competitors and are trying to load up. Tarasenko was potentially the best free agent without risk they could sign for their top-six to provide a lot of extra scoring. The Sharks are an interesting team to have been in on Tarasenko as they are rebuilding. They also likely offered him a one-year deal so that they could get some good value back for him at the trade deadline, like they may very well do with Anthony Duclair who they already acquired.

31-year-old Tarasenko started last season with the St. Louis Blues, scoring 10 goals and 29 points in 38 games before being dealt at the trade deadline to the New York Rangers where he put up eight goals and 21 points in 31 games. He spent a little time injured and also took a step back offensively from the point-per-game player he was in 2021-22. He is in a good situation to succeed in Ottawa's top-six and it should help the Senators finally get back into the playoffs.