Atlantic Division Rival signs one of the more significant remaining UFAs
The Ottawa Senators were dealt a significant blow this summer, losing Alex DeBrincat to the Detroit Red Wings via trade. This evening, the Sens announced they have signed Vladimir Tarasenko to a 1-year deal worth $5M as his replacement.
The deal places the Sens $32K below the salary cap and adds a prolific shooting threat to their top six. Tarasenko will likely replace the recently traded DeBrincat on the half wall of the Sens' powerplay as well. The 31-year-old is coming off of a down season, scoring just 18 goals in 69 games between the St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers, but had 34 goals the year prior.
Over 675 career games, Tarasenko has scored 270 goals and totalled 574 points. He has reached the 30-goal mark 6 times in his 11-year career. Not only will he replace the scoring of DeBrincat, but he will also add some more size to the Sens' forward group as he is 6'1 and 220 pounds. With the addition of Tarasenko, the Sens will be rolling out a very good forward group that also includes the likes of Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stützle, Claude Giroux and Drake Batherson.
