Islanders still in the mix for St Louis Blues Vladimir Tarasenko (Rumor)

With deals apparently agreed to between the New York Islanders and a slew of their UFAs (and Zach Parise) and the team’s RFAs, you’d think that Lou Lamoriello would be done for the summer. But it seems he’s not quite done just yet.

According to The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford (subscription required), the New York Islanders are still believe to be in on St Louis Blues winger Vladimir Tarasenko.

New York Islanders still in on Vladimir Tarasenko

We’ve heard that “Isles in on Tarasenko” rumor all summer long. Of course, the Islanders seem like a good destination for Tarasenko. He’s a 30 goal scorer and a clear top-line winger and he’s a Stanley Cup champion. He fits exactly what the New York Islanders have needed for a looooong time and the type of player Lou Lamoriello has been trying to bring in since he arrived.

With Tarasenko in the shop window for some time now and the relationship between the team and its star player fractured beyond repair, the return for the St Louis Blues is surely low. Rutherford indicates that if the Blues held up to 40% of Taransenko’s $7.5 million deal, they could get a decent pick and prospect. I’m sure with that type of retention the return might be higher.

An affordable 30-goal scorer for futures? That sounds like music to any Islanders fans ears.

Of course, that’s assuming Tarasenko is 100% healthy. He’s missed considerable time over the last two years with a lingering shoulder injury. He’s apparently healthy now, for whatever that’s worth.

We’ll see where this goes, if anywhere, of course. According to Rutherford, the Isles aren’t the only ones still at the table for Tarasenko. And even at a 40% reduced AAV, it’s hard to see how the Islanders will fit Tarasenko without shedding money elsewhere.

While nothing is officially happening it certainly seems that things are still indeed happening behind the scenes for the New York Islanders.