NHL News: Wild’s Vladimir Tarasenko makes big admission after exit from Patrick Kane’s Red Wings

After a difficult season in Detroit, Vladimir Tarasenko is turning the page with the Minnesota Wild. The veteran forward spoke candidly this week following his trade from the Detroit Red Wings, a move that came one year after signing a two-year contract with the Original Six franchise—then headlined by star winger Patrick Kane.

Tarasenko, who split the 2023–24 season between Ottawa and Florida, joined Detroit last summer with expectations of adding scoring depth and experience. But the 32-year-old struggled to find his rhythm, finishing the 2024–25 campaign with just 33 points across 80 games—his lowest total in any season in which he played more than half the schedule.

“Yeah, we wanted a change,” Tarasenko told reporters during a media availability on Tuesday. “The trade happened. I don’t even know what else to say. Probably to most questions about the past, I’ll say that the past is behind us.”

Tarasenko: A fresh start in Minnesota

Tarasenko was traded to the Wild on June 30, one day before free agency opened. According to his own words, he had been the one to initiate conversations about a possible move, indicating he felt it was time for a reset.

The winger cited fatigue from the last two years—which included being traded multiple times and a Stanley Cup run with Florida in 2024—as a key reason behind his inconsistent play in Detroit. The long postseason, combined with minimal offseason recovery, impacted both his physical readiness and mental sharpness.

“I have a lot of time this summer,” he said. “I think for the first time in my career, I have so much time to prepare for the season. It is possible to rest not only physically but also mentally.”

Tarasenko eyes comeback season as veteran leader in final contract year

Tarasenko, now 33, has recorded 662 points in 831 career NHL games. Entering the final year of his contract, he’s hoping to bounce back with Minnesota and re-establish himself as a top-six contributor. “I will come and try to help the team in any way possible,” he added. “I feel like every year I have something to prove.”