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Once again Vladimir Tarasenko's future becomes as cloudy as the skies the globetrotter is flying through these days. Where did he land?
St. Louis.
A high level of confusion at this point is certifiably understandable.
As reports indicated earlier this week, the 20 year old winger decided to his best option was a return home to play during the lockout. Back to Russia and SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL. The presumed done deal apparently wasn't so. At least as Dmitri Chesnokov reports.
Pardon the presumption, but considering the club agreed to house Ilya Kovalchuk on an ad hoc basis this season -- and anoint him captain -- there can't be much concern on their end regarding a player cutting out to return to the NHL. Sure, the Devils sniper could threaten to stay put if there are significant salary rollbacks in the next CBA. However, as a premier scorer in the league and a signer of one of the gaudiest contracts in the sport's history, his return should be assured.
From that angle, what could be the rub? Andy Strickland tweets a clarifying statement.
Reading between the lines a bit here, but it sounds as if things aren't going well that Tarasenko wants an option to leave for greener pastures. To play where he'll get the ice time in the role he needs to continue his development. If SKA cannot offer that, then the Peoria Riverman can and will without a second thought given. Even to doubt out of due diligence.
For now Tarasenko remains in St. Louis and working out with his future teammates. That is unless his KHL rights are traded to a team he is willing to play for or the Rivermen open up for training camp.
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In other news...
- Though the SEL has ruled that teams in Sweden's top league can make their own decision to bring about locked out NHL players, Alex Steen has yet to officially join Modo.
- Ty Rattie started the WHL season off Friday night with no points and a Plus-1 rating in the Portland Winterhawks 5-2 loss to Seattle. Portland and Seattle square off again Saturday night.
- Defenseman Joel Edmundson finished his first game of the season with a Minus-1 rating and 7 PIMS in Moose Jaw's 4-3 win over Swift Current.
- 2012 draft pick Nick Walters (4th Rd., 116th) of the Everett Silvertips starts his season off against Prince George Saturday night.
- Fellow 2012 draftee Tyreal Seamen (7th Rd., 206th) of the Brandon Wheat Kings registered no points and 2 PIMs in a3-2 win over Regina Friday.
- Goaltender Jordan Binnington stopped 33 of 34 shots he faced as Owen Sound defeated Windsor 6-1 Thursday.
- Forward Ryan Tesink registered 2 hits and 5 PIMs while wearing an "A" in Saint John's QMJHL season opening 3-2 loss to Acadie-Bathurst. Former Blues prospect Stephen MacAulay was the Sea Dog's lone goal scorer. IN game two on Friday Tesink bagged an assist and a Plus-3 rating in a 3-2 OT victory over the same opponent.
- Goaltendiner Francois Tremblay (2012, 5th Rd, 146th) stopped 33 of 36 shots en route to Val-D'Or's first win of the season. They won 4-3 in the shootout.
- Potential future power forwards Yannick Veilleux and Dmitri Jaskin combined for no points, a Minus-4 rating and 6 PIMs in Moncton's 6-2 loss to P.E.I Friday.
- The Blues' top pick in 2012, Jordan Schmaltz, does not kick off his play with North Dakota till October 6thin an exhibition game against Manitoba.
- Max Gardiner, the Blues' 3rd round pick in 2010, is no longer with the University of Minnesota. He is now with the new Penn State team.
Here's Gardiner talking about the sweaters that will be worn in the inaugural season.
- This is a bit of old news at this point, but The Blues' 3rd round pick in 2009 (78th overall), Sergei Andronov, signed a one year deal last month. The key takeaway to remember here is that the speedy Russian winger was signed by Peoria to an AHL deal and not by the Blues to an ELC. The lockout doesn't have much bearing on the 23 year old other than the possibility he could be demoted to Evansville, the new ECHL affiliate, if he doesn't earn a roster spot in an overloaded Rivermen training camp.
- Last week the Rivermen signed defenseman Brent Regner to a one year AHL deal as well. The former Columbus Blue Jacket's draft pick led their AHL affiliate Springfield in assists (29) and points (31) among their blueliners. He was a 5th round pick, 137th overall, in 2008.
- Peoria will open their preseason against the Chicago Wolves on October 1st. Game one of the regular season is on the 12th against Abbotsford and their home opener is the 19th versus Rockford.
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Thanks for reading!
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