Senators Trade Rumors: This Proposed Deal Lands Tarasenko In Vegas

With a full no-trade clause, Vladimir Tarasenko has full decision-making capability on where he winds up come March 8th. But he's still one of the top offensive additions teams are considering at the trade deadline, and the Ottawa Senators are listening.

The 32-year-old Russian sniper has 15 goals, 22 assists and 37 points this season in 52 games with the Sens, playing on a $5 million cap hit.

The Vegas Golden Knights are in need of a boost to the frontline, especially after captain Mark Stone went down again to injury. With that, the NHL Network has come up with a proposed deal that could land Tarasenko with the defending Stanley Cup champs, if he so desires. Here's what that would look like:

Vegas Golden Knights Receive:

Vladimir Tarasenko, F (Senators retain 50%)

Ottawa Senators Receive:

Brendan Brisson, F
2024 2nd-Round pick

The Senators would have to retain $2.5M on Tarasenko's contract, while receiving the Golden Knights' No. 4 prospect, the 2020 first-round pick Brisson, plus a second-rounder this year. With the retention, Vegas would have room under the cap (about $3.5M at current estimates) to go out and add another player).

So who say 'no' to this deal?

Insider Elliotte Friedman says Vegas would put the kibosh on this offer, while the Senators would grab it. He feels it's too big a price for the Golden Knights to give up for a rental.

Tarasenko, however, always delivers in the playoffs—just ask the St. Louis Blues—and he could be a difference-maker in the postseason for a team that's close, like the Golden Knights. He has a remarkable 44 goals in 97 playoff games, including 11 in 26 games for the Blues in their run to the Cup in 2019. And after the NY Rangers picked him up at midseason last year, he found the back of the net three times in seven playoff games last spring.

The Senators will get some offers for Tarasenko, but we'll have to see if they get one as good as this.

Photo: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports