MONTREAL — It’s OK if Minnesota Wild fans felt underwhelmed as free agency began last summer. After hinting at a free-agent splash that the team’s owner dubbed “Christmas in July,” the moves made by general manager Bill Guerin on July 1 had virtually nobody running to the season-ticket queue.
Minnesota signed faceoff specialist Nico Sturm. It grabbed local depth guys Tyler Pitlick and Matt Kiersted. The Wild did not add any potential stars named Brock and, for the most part, when players on his radar weren’t available, Guerin didn’t spend just to spend.
Perhaps the biggest name coming to Minnesota on July 1 was acquired by trade, when the Wild acquired Vladimir Tarasenko from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for future considerations. In other words, he was a freebie.
Tarasenko had tortured Wild fans for years in the regular season and playoffs; he has 14 goals and 18 assists in 37 regular-season games against Minnesota, as well as 12 goals in 17 postseason games, including two hat tricks. And he won the Stanley Cup in 2018 with the St. Louis Blues. But Tarasenko coming to Minnesota produced a serious and fair question among Wild fans: What does he have left in the tank?
Tarasenko had just two goals in mid-November when he missed seven games due to injury, and many were ready to write off his presence in Minnesota as a nice pre-retirement gig for respected veteran. But with the rash of injuries that has beset the Wild this month, the 34-year-old has been picking up the slack.
On the Wild’s just completed, three-game road trip, Tarasenko had five goals and eight points.
“He’s playing awesome, especially with (Joel Eriksson Ek) and (Matt Boldy) down. He’s stepped up big time for us,” Wild defenseman Brock Faber said after Tarasenko scored twice in a 5-4 to the Canadiens.to Montreal. “That’s why he’s a leader. That’s why he’s had such a successful career. Such a great addition to this team.”
Wild coach John Hynes has taken a hands-on approach with Tarasenko from Day 1, flying to his family’s home in Florida over the summer to welcome the veteran and talk about his role. More recently, with all of the injuries the team is facing, Hynes reminded Tarasenko that in times like these, he’s needed most.
“Vladdy and I talked a few days ago, and just a little bit about his game,” Hynes said before Tuesday’s game at Bell Centre. “I think his game has been really solid. And his ability to use his shot when he plays with pace, playing a skating game, that’s when he’s most effective. In Buffalo and in Toronto, for sure, he was willing to skate with the puck and without the puck, and I think when he does that, he has the ability to make plays.”
Tarasenko had 11 goals in 80 games last season in Detroit. On Tuesday in Montreal, in his 44th game, he scored his 12th and 13th of this season. Whatever was said between him and his newest coach was clearly taken to heart.
“Yeah, we had a conversation. We always stay in touch during the season,” Tarasenko said. “Obviously, with the guys out, you have more minutes, more situations you play in, and try to help the team win. Like I said, I think it’s pretty good overall trip tonight and very tight schedule, so there’s no time to be upset or happy. Have to be ready for the next ones.”
The Wild return to St. Paul to begin a four-game home stand with an 8:30 p.m. ESPN game Thursday at Grand Casino Arena.
Minnesota Wild forward Vladimir Tarasenko, right, celebrates after his goal with teammate Ryan Hartman (38) during first-period NHL hockey game action against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Toronto, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
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