The St. Louis Blues signed young star Vladimir Tarasenko to an eight-year contract extension worth $60 million and it comes after the team traded another strong young player in TJ Oshie and this now makes the 23-year-old Tarasenko one of the highest paid players in the league at his age.
Tarasenko had a career season in 2014-15, scoring 37 goals, adding 36 assists and recording 73 points, all bests in his three years with the Blues. Tarasenko has established himself as an all-around offensive player and the Blues now will build around him and his $7.5 million annual cap price.
Tarasenko previously was a first round draft pick for the Blues and he is locked in after the team traded away one of its top players in Oshie. According to ESPN.com, Oshie was shipped out from the St. Louis Blues on Thursday for Troy Brouwer with the Washington Capitals. Oshie has been a solid player for the Blues and he put up 19 goals and 36 assists last season.
Brouwer comes in after scoring 21 goals and putting up over 40 points last season for the Caps and he played well in the playoffs for Washington. According to Pro Hockey Talk, Tarasenko signed for similar money to Brandon Saad, who inked a six year deal worth $36 million after being traded to the Blue Jackets.