The NHL saw a blockbuster deal go down on Friday which landed Vladimir Tarasenko on the New York Rangers. The move helps set the table on understanding what the San Jose Sharks will want in return for Timo Meier in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The price of Tarasenko was just what the Toronto Maple Leafs wanted to see.
In order to pry Tarasenko (and defenseman Niko Mikkola) from the St. Louis Blues, the Rangers needed to send off forward Sammy Blais, defenseman prospect Hunter Skinner, a conditional first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft and a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.