Tarasenko still works

Underwhelming return for the Blues, but I agree that a third party likely would have to help to retain. Would probably be pretty expensive as it's a lot of money $7.5M over two seasons. Might have to part with a 1st almost for that alone. It's the equivalent of dumping a player with a $3.75M cap hit for two years. Don't think a team is willing to pay a 1st for VT at this moment.

As Pens fan, I'd love to see this happen. Tarasenko is damaged goods and the Isles are giving up solid futures.

I really don't think this is necessary

The Blues aren't going to get anything good for Tarasenko. He's a gamble at this point and an expensive one. Retention to some degree will be necessary, so teams won't have to pay extra for retention.

Bolduc is a very solid prospect and Bellows, while not great, could probably be a solid 4th liner, but Bolduc is the prize here. If I'm STL I'm seriously considering this. With all the other signings they made this year, freeing up half of Tank lets them fill out any holes.

The Blues have Mikkola and Perunovich on the left side with Krug and Scandella there as well. The path for Bolduc would be, let's say not the easiest.