**Red Wings Sign Two-Time Cup Winner Vladimir Tarasenko to Two-Year Deal**
Vladimir Tarasenko, fresh off his second Stanley Cup win with the Florida Panthers, has agreed to a two-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings worth $4.75 million per year.
The addition of Tarasenko is the latest move in the Red Wings’ active offseason. Their transactions began on June 30 with the re-signing of three-time Stanley Cup champion and 2016 Hart Memorial Trophy winner Patrick Kane to a one-year contract. They also re-signed Christian Fischer and Tyler Motte, and added Jack Campbell, Erik Gustafsson, and Cam Talbot through free agency.
However, the Red Wings experienced some losses as well. Jake Walman was traded to the San Jose Sharks, Shayne Gostisbehere signed with the Carolina Hurricanes, and David Perron joined the Ottawa Senators.
These changes left the Red Wings with over $24 million in projected salary cap space, allowing them flexibility for further moves. On Wednesday, they made a significant addition by signing Tarasenko.
The 32-year-old winger, who was drafted 16th overall by the Blues in 2010, has now played for four teams. He was traded from the Blues to the New York Rangers during the 2022-23 season, where he contributed eight goals and 21 points in 31 games, and three goals and four points in seven playoff games. After a one-year, $5 million deal with the Senators, Tarasenko scored 17 goals and 41 points in 57 games but was eventually traded to the Panthers.
With the Panthers, Tarasenko made an immediate impact, tallying six goals and 14 points in 19 regular season games, and five goals and nine points in 24 playoff games, helping the Panthers secure their first-ever Stanley Cup.
Now, Tarasenko joins one of the NHL’s Original Six teams, which has been striving to return to the playoffs after missing them for eight consecutive seasons. The Red Wings came close this past season, finishing with 91 points, tied with the Washington Capitals, who clinched the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot due to a tiebreaker.
With Tarasenko on board, the Red Wings’ forward lineup now includes J.T. Compher, Andrew Copp, Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, and Kane, while still holding approximately $20.042 million in cap space, according to CapFriendly. Shortly after signing Tarasenko, the Red Wings created additional cap space by trading winger Robby Fabbri and a conditional 2025 fourth-round pick to the Anaheim Ducks for prospect goaltender Gage Alexander.
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