Some players are just awful fits and although he’s shown up at times, it looks like the end of the road is coming sooner rather than later for Vladimir Tarasenko as a member of the Detroit Red Wings. And rightfully so, might I add, as Tarasenko has been awful throughout his first 53 games in Hockeytown.
So far, Tarasenko has seven goals and 22 points, with a 7.5 shooting percentage, and under 15 minutes of average total ice time. He’s found a home in neither Derek Lalonde’s nor Todd McLellan’s systems, and if the Wings are looking to maximize their chances to become serious contenders, it’s clear those holding the team back like Tarasenko need to go.
We need to remember that the Wings are facing stiff competition from now until April, and if you look at this current lineup, they're good, but not championship-caliber. That said, they’re brimming with potential, something Todd McLellan’s proven since his first day coaching the franchise not too long ago.
So far this season, we’ve enjoyed watching players like Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, and Alex DeBrincat flourish, and we’ve also seen a scoring renaissance lately in the Motor City with the aforementioned trio leading the way.
So, it’s time for the Red Wings to ‘sell’ a little at the trade deadline AND ‘buy’
The trade deadline can be a mixed bag as some teams will rightfully ‘sell’ while contenders rightfully ‘buy.’ But some would-be contenders need to move a few players around, too, and that’s where the Red Wings stand, making them ideal candidates to be ‘buyers’ and ‘sellers.’
Players like Vladimir Tarasenko have driven that point home, and don’t be surprised if the Wings not just trade him, but if they also take advantage at the deadline to get rid of a few more underperformers. Erik Gustafsson is another name I wouldn’t surprise seeing the Wings trade, and it might also be high time to end the Jonatan Berggren experiment for good.
Moving Tarasenko, Gustafsson, and Berggren would work for the Red Wings
The Wings could send the likes of Tarasenko, Berggren, and Gustafsson, to name a few, to teams that don’t figure to contend. And, in return, they’ll snag another serviceable player or two who will improve the current lineup to the point that some might even claim the Wings to be dark horse championship contenders. Yep, I was audacious enough to say it.
It’ll be fun to see how this shapes up, but if there’s one certainty here, it’s that Tarasenko has been a bust in Hockeytown and never once caught on. Now, it’s time to end the experiment and bring in those who are good fits for Todd McLellan’s system.