St. Louis Blues star forward Vladimir Tarasenko won a Stanley Cup with the team in 2019, but his relationship with the organization has soured since, to the point where he requested a trade from the franchise in 2021. That request has never been rescinded, and there’s next to zero chance the team will be able to re-sign the pending unrestricted free agent in the offseason.

The 31-year old sniper has a full no-trade clause, and there’s a good chance he will ride out the final season of his contract in St. Louis and then hit the market in the summer. But there is always a market for a goal-scoring winger in the NHL at the trade deadline, especially one who has eclipsed the 30-goal mark six times; he scored 34 goals in 75 games and added 48 assists to return to point per game status in 2021-22.

Tarasenko just can’t seem to stay healthy, and has missed more time this season with a hand injury. That could scare off potential suitors, especially considering he’s only scored ten goals this season. That being said, the Russian star can still help a team compete and be an important part of its top-six for a deep playoff run.

Blues general manager Doug Armstrong should try to trade the winger before the deadline rather than let him walk for nothing as a UFA at the close of the 2022-23 season. That is especially true considering the Blues are under .500 at 23-24-3, and sit eight points behind the Colorado Avalanche for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference. The Central Division is just too strong, and the St. Louis Blues should cut their losses and trade him at the NHL’s deadline to one of these four teams.

New Jersey Devils

The Devils are the surprise of the National Hockey League this season, compiling an outstanding 32-13-4 record to sit second in the Metropolitan Division heading into the All-Star break. They have expressed interest in adding another top-six winger, and have already been linked to San Jose Sharks’ star Timo Meier.