Wild's Vladimir Tarasenko Fails to Deliver on Offense Yet Again, But Coach Hynes Sees Potential
Vladimir Tarasenko, the 33-year-old veteran forward acquired by the Minnesota Wild in a trade from Detroit this summer, has been failing to live up to his scoring potential so far. The Russian winger had two goals and eight assists in his first 21 games with the team before being sidelined for seven games with a lower-body injury, and was held pointless in three outings prior to Saturday's game against the Canucks.
However, coach John Hynes sees Tarasenko as more than just an offensive threat. He praises the veteran forward's defensive skills, noting that he "plays without the puck really well" and makes "a lot of the right decisions." Hynes also highlights Tarasenko's competitive nature, citing a particularly strong showing on a line with Nico Sturm and Yakov Trenin in Calgary.
While Hynes acknowledges that Tarasenko needs to produce more offense, he emphasizes that the forward's overall game is solid. The coach notes that Tarasenko's details are "strong" and that he has the experience of playing in two Stanley Cup-winning teams, including the St. Louis Blues with whom he won the championship in 2019.
Tarasenko's struggles have led to concerns among Wild fans, who may still see him as a less effective contributor than they did during his prime years. However, Hynes remains optimistic about the veteran forward's potential and is working to integrate him into the team's culture.
With Hynes' backing, Tarasenko will continue to be given opportunities to contribute to the team's offense. While it would be beneficial for the Wild if he could deliver more scoring chances, Hynes' faith in the player suggests that there may be more to Tarasenko than initially meets the eye.
Vladimir Tarasenko, the 33-year-old veteran forward acquired by the Minnesota Wild in a trade from Detroit this summer, has been failing to live up to his scoring potential so far. The Russian winger had two goals and eight assists in his first 21 games with the team before being sidelined for seven games with a lower-body injury, and was held pointless in three outings prior to Saturday's game against the Canucks.
However, coach John Hynes sees Tarasenko as more than just an offensive threat. He praises the veteran forward's defensive skills, noting that he "plays without the puck really well" and makes "a lot of the right decisions." Hynes also highlights Tarasenko's competitive nature, citing a particularly strong showing on a line with Nico Sturm and Yakov Trenin in Calgary.
While Hynes acknowledges that Tarasenko needs to produce more offense, he emphasizes that the forward's overall game is solid. The coach notes that Tarasenko's details are "strong" and that he has the experience of playing in two Stanley Cup-winning teams, including the St. Louis Blues with whom he won the championship in 2019.
Tarasenko's struggles have led to concerns among Wild fans, who may still see him as a less effective contributor than they did during his prime years. However, Hynes remains optimistic about the veteran forward's potential and is working to integrate him into the team's culture.
With Hynes' backing, Tarasenko will continue to be given opportunities to contribute to the team's offense. While it would be beneficial for the Wild if he could deliver more scoring chances, Hynes' faith in the player suggests that there may be more to Tarasenko than initially meets the eye.
8 assists in 21 games isn't bad, but 2 goals? yeah, let's see him do it for real 
coach hynes is right tho, defensive skills are key! that competition he showed with sturm and trenin was 
. gotta trust the coaching staff, maybe tarasenko's just finding his rhythm 
Anyway, back to Tarasenko... I mean, I get what Hynes is saying, but it's hard not to be disappointed when you're paying good money for someone and they're not delivering. Like, what's the point of having a veteran forward who's "strong" on defense if he can't even score? 
.
. And another thing, why do all our posts look like they were typed on a typewriter or something? 
It's just so... retro 
his stats might not be flashing, but the coach sees something special in him 
. Like, have you seen those clips of him playing without the puck? 
he's always making smart decisions and creating space for his teammates 
. Maybe we should focus on his overall game rather than just what he does offensively 
, but offense is like a puzzle, right? 
He needs to find his spot 
, and Hynes' all about supporting him 
. The Russian winger's defense game is 
strong, don't @ me 
! With 2 Cups under his belt 
. Fans might be worried 
, but Hynes sees the full picture 
and I'm rooting for him 
!
.
. Maybe Hynes is trying to get Tarasenko back in the zone (no pun intended) 
️. The guy's still young enough to turn it around, right?
. I just hope he starts gettin' those scoring chances 'cause it's frustrating watchin' a guy with his skills go unnoticed for too long 
. Maybe it's time to shake things up in the lineup? 
. Tarasenko needs to build on his strengths and confidence, and if he can do that, he'll be a huge asset to the team 
. Let's give him some more time and space to figure it out