The defending champion St. Louis Blues just announced some shocking news. Vladimir Tarasenko, their leading goalscorer from last season, needs surgery on his left shoulder and will miss the next five months of action at least.
“Vladimir Tarasenko will undergo surgery on his left shoulder Tuesday and will be re-evaluated in five months,” the Blues website wrote. “Tarasenko had points in five straight contests before leaving the Oct. 24 game vs. Los Angeles in the first period with the injury after playing just four minutes and 37 seconds. He will be placed on long-term injured reserve.”
Here is the hit that injured Tarasenko.
Tarasenko out for the rest of the game. Here is the cause. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/0ZgmiKKHMu
— Jiff Geoff (@HockeyFeedSTL) October 25, 2019
According to NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti, it’s the same shoulder that Tarasenko had to have popped back into place during Game Two of the Stanley Cup Final.
Same shoulder Tarasenko dislocated in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final (trainer popped it back in and he returned) and had surgery on following 2017-18 season because he had dislocated it that season. https://t.co/pjIL5MGux0
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) October 28, 2019
It appears it’s an injury that tracks all the way back to the KHL for the Russian star.
STL Blues' prospect Tarasenko recovered (somewhat) from his shoulder injury and played in 3 KHL playoff games posting 0pts and -2.
— Dmitry Chesnokov (@dchesnokov) February 28, 2011
The surgery will keep Tarasenko out until at least the beginning of April. He will be re-evaluated before the Blues’ try to repeat as champions.
