Tarasenko Signed!!!! 8/$60MM

[cprice12]

The cap hit of this deal is about exactly what I thought he'd get/hoped he'd get I hoped he'd get around $7 million and no more than in the mid $7's so we'd be in good shape salary cap-wise...and that is what happened.

However, the length of the contract shocked me. The Blues never go this long on a contract. A long term deal for the Blues is usually 5 or 6 years at most...which is what I expected it to be.

I had hoped they weren't going to do a bridge contract because wrapping him up long term was the smart move. I think a bridge contract would have been a mistake as it could have very well cost them a lot more money in a couple years. His contract will look like a real bargain in a few years. Hell, it's a good deal now. In a couple years after a bridge contract, he might be commanding Kane & Toewes money and cost us a few more million in cap space per year. Bridge contracts are so guys can prove their worth and to give ownership a better understanding of the player they have. But Tarasenko proved his worth last year...and we know exactly what we have. PLUS, at the end of his contract, he'll only be 31...so we have locked him up for what will likely be all of his prime years.

Of course there is the risk of Tarasenko underperforming and the Blues being stuck with a long term higher dollar contract, but you get that with any superstar you want to sign long term...that is the risk you take and you roll with it. But as far as up and coming superstars in the league go, Tarasenko is as good as it gets right now...so I'm pretty excited about this deal.

Tarasenko is the real deal. Anyone who has watched him play game in and game out knows this. And what's scary is that we have likely not seen his best yet. I said during the season that he is the most dynamic player we have ever had and I stand by that. He is more dynamic than Hull. More dynamic than Shanahan, Federko, MacInnis, Pronger... More dynamic than...well...pick any former Blue.

[WaukeeBlues]

Fun fact: NHL network radio reported yesterday that the Tarasenko deal is the largest contract in terms of overall money EVER signed by the St. Louis Blues. Ever.

To your point, Curt, because the Blues typically don't sign these kind of deals. I'm thrilled it's for 8 years. It's not the insane 12 year deal. When you know you have talent those 6 year contracts go by in a heartbeat... 8 is perfect.

Worst case scenario with the Blues, in my opinion, was a 2 year bridge deal for $4-6 million and then we get whacked (maybe deservedly so) in year three with an 8 year deal for $10-$12 per season.

This is the best thing Army has done in a very long time.

[cprice12]

https://twitter.com/wyshynski/status/618475914335232001

[cprice12]

https://twitter.com/brianlawton9/status/618472792741122049 Army said that Tarasenko & his agent never played the KHL card during negotiations.

[Nyghtewynd]

Shrug. At that price, he has to be a yearly top-5 player in the NHL. If he can, it's a good contract.

If he can't, well...

You really have a gift. You can find what's wrong in anything. It's uncanny.

Lemme guess: you bought MORE season tickets for this year.

[dmiles2186]

Shrug. At that price, he has to be a yearly top-5 player in the NHL. If he can, it's a good contract.

If he can't, well...

You really have a gift. You can find what's wrong in anything. It's uncanny.

Lemme guess: you bought MORE season tickets for this year.

Who cares if he did? If the Blues don't get support over time, they'll move. Buying tickets and going to games shouldn't make you a bad fan. Besides, we all want to let management know how unhappy we are with playoff failures. Don't you think they are aware of that? They bring it up constantly. They answer questions about it constantly. Everyone knows we've never won a Cup the moment they step in here and have that pressure of 50 years of failure heaped on their shoulders.

This is still a good hockey team, do you not agree?. They're going to win a lot of games. Will they win the Cup? That's always the question and one that we won't have an answer to until 11 months from now. But how will it look if THIS is the year they win but attendance is poor for a good chunk of it? To me, that's even worse than the bandwagon Hawks fans that came out of nowhere JUST as they started winning.

[cprice12]

Shrug. At that price, he has to be a yearly top-5 player in the NHL. If he can, it's a good contract.

If he can't, well...

You really have a gift. You can find what's wrong in anything. It's uncanny.

Lemme guess: you bought MORE season tickets for this year.

Aaaaaaaannndd....so what if he did?
I'm not sure what your point is.

If I could swing it, I'd get season tickets this season. No question. I just don't have the time to go to that many games right now.
But, as usual, I'll still go to a handful of games when I can... because, you know, I am a Blues fan and enjoy hockey.

[ecbm]

I'm inclined to believe they're not interested in trading Bouwmeester and the D is set.

I hope they're only not interested in trading him right now because his value is so low. Given what's coming through the pipeline, if he has a decent October & November I'd move him for pick(s)/prospect(s). His contract strikes me as the obvious one (with Ott & Berglund) to target to create space. Trading 22 or not retaining 42 to keep that $11-12M in cap hit on the roster shouldn't be considered.

Something like Steve Ott and a 6th round pick to Phoenix in return for a bag of peanuts.

Ott + Boomer would get us a serviceable player, hopefully a forward.

We all like to dream...

This isn't Jonathan Cheechoo lined up next to Joe Thornton.

In fact, Vova's more like Thornton in that scenario. Jori Lehtera owes him a bottle of something or a nice fruit basket...easiest transition from Europe ever. Also:

Jonathan Cheechoo

This is the best thing Army has done in a very long time.

It's actually what he's good at. He's locked up Backes, Steen, Shattenkirk, Pietrangelo, Tarasenko and Lehtera for $2M more in AAV than Chicago pays Toews, Kane & Keith and about $5M more than what the Penguins will put toward Crosby, Malkin & Kessel (even with the retained salary). He's also been creative in signing Bouwmeester (however that looks now) and Stastny. Frankly I was surprised it took so long.

Lemme guess: you bought MORE season tickets for this year.

Stillman just laid out $60,000,000. I'm as willing to criticize as anyone but really, what more do you want?

[glen a richter]

Shrug. At that price, he has to be a yearly top-5 player in the NHL. If he can, it's a good contract.

If he can't, well...

Is there anything in your life that will make you happy? I mean, do you enjoy a good rainbow after a spring shower? Do you enjoy a serene sunset on a beach? Do you ever find solace in a good, hearty laugh?

Or do you just sit around and listen to the Cure and paint your fingernails black and write poetry about the atrocities of life? Are you the type of person that likes to be the first to tell someone that someone else died or was horribly injured or just to deliver bad news in person?

No matter how pitiful my day is, nothing can put a smile on my face faster than the sound of my son laughing. Nyghtewynd would complain the laughter was too loud and that we needed to get off his lawn immediately.

[goon attack]

So.... is this the right moment to give up on next year?

[cprice12]

So.... is this the right moment to give up on next year?

Yes.

[cardsfan04]

Shrug. At that price, he has to be a yearly top-5 player in the NHL. If he can, it's a good contract.

If he can't, well...

You really have a gift. You can find what's wrong in anything. It's uncanny.

Lemme guess: you bought MORE season tickets for this year.

LOL, my dad buys season tickets and takes me frequently. I don't have them myself. But, if I had the money, I would. Owners bought a team in financial disrepair and immediately started spending to the cap. If they spend to the cap, I am fine giving them my money. If they spent like Checketts, it would be a different story.

[Kerfuffle]

My thoughts:

1) It was a good signing - you couldn't lose him
2) The money is appropriate given his numbers and what Saad got (which set the market this offseason)
3) The KHL was never an option although I'm sure they played that card. The crash of the ruble has the KHL is financial turmoil and explains why all the high dollar guys want to come over to the NHL as their contracts are worth much less in the KHL (think Kovalchuk).
4) It's risky in that Tank only has one real year under his belt. He was in a contract year and had great numbers. Were the numbers indicative of that or a sign of greatness to come? I don't know but it's a risk - a low one but risk nonetheless.
5) Anyone else thinking that the NHL is starting on the next path to a lockout with all these huge money deals? Toews/Kane set the market for UFAs and now Saad/Tank have set it for RFAs. When the Kings board laughed at me last year for signing Kane/Toews I had to point out to them that everyone loses by a record breaking contract - cause their guy now (aka Kopitar) will want that kind of money when he's up for renewal next year. People forget about those things and pray that other teams are in cap hell and never think it applies to their own guys.

[gaijin]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck- ... 12005.html

From Greg Wyshynski of Puck Daddy:

Committing eight years and $60 million to a 23-year-old winger with 179 games to his credit has its risks.

Does the contract take away incentive to earn bigger ones down the line? Does it throw off chemistry in the room, as one player breaks the bank in ways veteran good soldiers haven’t?

This is why St. Louis Blues fans should be doing the happy happy joy joy dance over Vladimir Tarasenko’s comments about his new contract, via the St. Louis Post Dispatch. This kid has his head on straight, or at least is saying the rightest of right things about his new contract.

From Jeremy Rutherford, Tarasenko said this week:

"This is not about the money," he said. "This is about your personality, how you can talk to the guys, how you can help the guys. I think money is important, but in the leadership terms, this is nothing. You can sign $50 million-dollar contract in one year, but teammates can hate you. I work hard the last three years to make the leadership group. My teammates, my coach, and my general manager trust me. I will try to make them happy."

Back in the fold now, Tarasenko says he's ready to get started. After arriving in St. Louis in early September last season, he says he'll come a month sooner this year.

"Five days ago, we had a huge (wedding) celebration with all of our friends," Tarasenko said. "Those were 4-5 days, so we don't need to celebrate more. It's time to work right now, there's no time to celebrate anymore.

"It was tough years for (the Blues). We need to stay all together, all 25-26 guys together. I think the main part for me, we need to have one goal. It's not about points, it's not about goals, it's not about whatever. It's all about the Cup. If 26 guys do the same thing, I think we can make it."

Granted, a guy making $7.5 million until 2023 can play the “it’s not about the stats it’s about the Cup” thing all day long, because it literally doesn’t matter what he does offensively for the next eight years insofar as personal gain.

But it’s still awesome to hear a player like Tarasenko acknowledge what the ultimate goals in his career are.

It’s also awesome to hear him acknowledge that with great salary comes great responsibility, i.e. trying not to make your teammates loathe you and your paycheck. Which is why he’s worked hard to not just be a star player for the Blues but one of their leaders, and that’s why he’ll likely end up with an ‘A’ on his chest next season for coach Ken Hitchcock.

[Kerfuffle]

Granted, a guy making $7.5 million until 2023 can play the “it’s not about the stats it’s about the Cup” thing all day long, because it literally doesn’t matter what he does offensively for the next eight years insofar as personal gain.

But it’s still awesome to hear a player like Tarasenko acknowledge what the ultimate goals in his career are.

It’s also awesome to hear him acknowledge that with great salary comes great responsibility, i.e. trying not to make your teammates loathe you and your paycheck. Which is why he’s worked hard to not just be a star player for the Blues but one of their leaders, and that’s why he’ll likely end up with an ‘A’ on his chest next season for coach Ken Hitchcock.

He said the right things - I just disagree with the statement "This is not about the money". It IS always about the money. I just wish players (everyone, not just Tank) would say 'yes I want my market value but I also want to win the stanly cup with this organization'. I wouldn't have any problem with that and I don't believe it's elitist. But when players routinely say it's not about the money I cringe. If it's not about the money then fine why not play for $2M per on a 3 year bridge deal. Saad said the same thing at our parade rally at the microphone - the words were something to the effect of 'the money comes and goes but it's not about that, it's about winning championships and this is where I want to play". Then he became a prick in his contract negotiations to get the most money he could find. Just tell the truth.

[ecbm]

I just disagree with the statement "This is not about the money".

Just tell the truth.

If he's confident in his skills-I believe he is-the most lucrative thing for him would be a bridge deal during which he gets even better and asks for Kane/Toews money. I think you're overlooking this because you keep insisting:

It's risky in that Tank only has one real year under his belt.

Do you think Kane's deal in '09 was an overpay? Because Tank's numbers are actually eerily similar except #91 hits and plays in the D end more. These are facts. There is no risk in this deal that there isn't in every long term deal. As long as he stays healthy it's a steal. This is how, as I pointed out yesterday, the Blues are paying 4 top-6 fwds and a top D pairing just $2M more than your Hawks are giving three guys. Which is why they couldn't sign Saad and why they'll be going back to the scrap heap for a 2C. As I've also said-can't argue with CHI's approach as it's proven successful but suggesting this is a financially risky deal is a huge reach. Maybe you think Tarasenko is comparable to guys like Saad and Ryan O'Reilly. I think you'll find you're pretty lonely in that position.

[ComradeT]

Granted, a guy making $7.5 million until 2023 can play the “it’s not about the stats it’s about the Cup” thing all day long, because it literally doesn’t matter what he does offensively for the next eight years insofar as personal gain.

But it’s still awesome to hear a player like Tarasenko acknowledge what the ultimate goals in his career are.

It’s also awesome to hear him acknowledge that with great salary comes great responsibility, i.e. trying not to make your teammates loathe you and your paycheck. Which is why he’s worked hard to not just be a star player for the Blues but one of their leaders, and that’s why he’ll likely end up with an ‘A’ on his chest next season for coach Ken Hitchcock.

He said the right things - I just disagree with the statement "This is not about the money". It IS always about the money. I just wish players (everyone, not just Tank) would say 'yes I want my market value but I also want to win the stanly cup with this organization'. I wouldn't have any problem with that and I don't believe it's elitist. But when players routinely say it's not about the money I cringe. If it's not about the money then fine why not play for $2M per on a 3 year bridge deal. Saad said the same thing at our parade rally at the microphone - the words were something to the effect of 'the money comes and goes but it's not about that, it's about winning championships and this is where I want to play". Then he became a prick in his contract negotiations to get the most money he could find. Just tell the truth.

Depends on the guy but I'll buy it coming from Vladi. The guy is a leader and has a lot of pride but he's a team player as well. He has proven all of it playing for a national team, as well as the Blues. The money he got is just a function of the market. I think the phrase "it's not about the money" doesn't necessarily imply he doesn't care at all but rather states his intention to accept a reasonable contract and try to help the Blues win the cup rather than to chase the ultimate highest bid out there or squeeze the Blues dry if they want him to stay.

You also want to think in terms of the team and the fans. If a guy like Vladi takes 2mm per year for 3 years, what are the other players on the team are supposed to think? The ship is sinking? What's MY next contract gonna be like? And the fans, while possibly happy initially, would start scratching their heads too. Because it just wouldn't make sense.

[cprice12]

My thoughts:
3) The KHL was never an option although I'm sure they played that card. The crash of the ruble has the KHL is financial turmoil and explains why all the high dollar guys want to come over to the NHL as their contracts are worth much less in the KHL (think Kovalchuk).

Nope. Armstrong said that neither Tarasenko nor his agent ever played the KHL card...even though it is reported that the KHL offered Tank $33 million for 3 years.

[Kerfuffle]

Do you think Kane's deal in '09 was an overpay? Because Tank's numbers are actually eerily similar except #91 hits and plays in the D end more. These are facts. There is no risk in this deal that there isn't in every long term deal. As long as he stays healthy it's a steal. This is how, as I pointed out yesterday, the Blues are paying 4 top-6 fwds and a top D pairing just $2M more than your Hawks are giving three guys. Which is why they couldn't sign Saad and why they'll be going back to the scrap heap for a 2C. As I've also said-can't argue with CHI's approach as it's proven successful but suggesting this is a financially risky deal is a huge reach. Maybe you think Tarasenko is comparable to guys like Saad and Ryan O'Reilly. I think you'll find you're pretty lonely in that position.

Yes I believe any guy coming out of his entry level contract and signing for big money is a risk. Having said that if I'm Armstrong I would have signed Tank as well - the upside weighs higher than the risk. And no I don't believe Saad is anywhere near the player Tank is. Saad benefitted from 2 cups, playing on lines with the likes of Toews/Kane/Hossa/Sharp and being in the national spotlight. No way I would have signed Saad to the money he wanted.

[cardsfan04]

Do you think Kane's deal in '09 was an overpay? Because Tank's numbers are actually eerily similar except #91 hits and plays in the D end more. These are facts. There is no risk in this deal that there isn't in every long term deal. As long as he stays healthy it's a steal. This is how, as I pointed out yesterday, the Blues are paying 4 top-6 fwds and a top D pairing just $2M more than your Hawks are giving three guys. Which is why they couldn't sign Saad and why they'll be going back to the scrap heap for a 2C. As I've also said-can't argue with CHI's approach as it's proven successful but suggesting this is a financially risky deal is a huge reach. Maybe you think Tarasenko is comparable to guys like Saad and Ryan O'Reilly. I think you'll find you're pretty lonely in that position.

Yes I believe any guy coming out of his entry level contract and signing for big money is a risk. Having said that if I'm Armstrong I would have signed Tank as well - the upside weighs higher than the risk. And no I don't believe Saad is anywhere near the player Tank is. Saad benefitted from 2 cups, playing on lines with the likes of Toews/Kane/Hossa/Sharp and being in the national spotlight. No way I would have signed Saad to the money he wanted.

I agree in a general sense. He's had 1 great year and 2 good years. Always some risk to signing a player without longterm success. But, I'm really not worried about that with him. He could take a step back. Certainly possible. But, between what's reported on his work ethic (and desire to win a Cup) and the kinds of goals he scored, I don't think last year is going to be an outlier on his career. It's usually not too difficult to spot a career year, and I don't think this was that for him.