The Red Wings are moving on from forward Vladimir Tarasenko, and saving considerable cap space in the process: Detroit has traded Tarasenko to the Wild for future considerations.
Tarasenko was a failed signing for the Red Wings, who gave him a two-year, $9.5 million deal last summer. After averaging 25 goals and about 60 points over the prior three seasons, Tarasenko posted just 11 goals and 33 points in 80 games with the Wings.
That led to speculation that Steve Yzerman might buy out the final year of Tarasenko's contract, even after Yzerman expressed hope at his end-of-season press conference that Tarasenko would bounce back next season.
Instead, the Red Wings found a taker for Tarasenko in the Wild -- and aren't retaining any of Tarasenko's salary, per reports. That frees up $4.75 million in cap space for the Wings in 2025-26 as they aim to upgrade their roster this offseason through free agency and/or the trade market.