clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Vladimir Tarasenko ranked at a middling spot on list of NHL’s best wingers

Someone give the Cup champion his due.

By hildymac
NHL: Stanley Cup Final-St. Louis Blues at Boston Bruins Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports

As is their summer tradition, the NHL Network has been ranking players by position, Previously, they ranked Ryan O’Reilly, he of the Conn Smythe, as the 12th best center in the NHL. They released their list of the best wingers in the league, and Vladimir Tarasenko falls at number 14:

For those of you who are video-challenged, here is the list:

  1. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning
  2. Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
  3. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
  4. Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins
  5. Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs
  6. Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers
  7. Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames
  8. Artemi Panarin, New York Rangers
  9. Mikko Rantanen, Colorado Avalanche
  10. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins
  11. Blake Wheeler, Winnipeg Jets
  12. Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers
  13. Mark Stone, Vegas Golden Knights
  14. Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues
  15. Taylor Hall, New Jersey Devils
  16. Jonathan Huberdeau, Florida Panthers
  17. Matthew Tkachuk, Calgary Flames
  18. Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche
  19. Patrik Laine, Winnipeg Jets
  20. Phil Kessel, Arizona Coyotes

All that I have to say about number four is that someone who can’t finish his shifts in the Stanley Cup Final shouldn’t be that high. From his rookie season in 2012-2013, Tarasenko ranks 9th in goals overall in the NHL and fourth among wingers (Marchand is third among wingers, so I will give him some credit). Where Tarasenko drops off are his assist totals, which knocks him down to 21st overall in scoring during that time (and 8th overall out of the wingers).

Check out St. Louis son and son of Big Walt Matthew Tkachuk sneaking in there at number 17.