GM Steve Yzerman and The Detroit Red Wings' plan for Vladimir Tarasenko revealed

The Detroit Red Wings have to decide what to do with veteran winger Vladimir Tarasenko. Like NHL players who win the Stanley Cup, their stock rises quickly, and they take advantage of the demand for players who've won the ultimate prize in July.

Steve Yzerman hurriedly signed Vladimir Tarasenko to a two-year, $9.5 million deal, locking down Tarasenko well past his prime.

This Tarasenko isn't the same player who won a Stanley Cup with the Blues in 2019, but nevertheless, Yzerman felt the desire to sign him.

After his 55-point season in 2023-2024, winning a cup with the Panthers, Yzerman felt like he still had something left in the tank. All he could give in 2024-2025 was a 33-point outing, in 80 games.

So you'd think Yzerman would be smart enough to consider a trade, or a buyout for Tarasenko? Letting a prospect earn the spot in Detroit?

No.

Instead, it seems the Red Wings are going to see his contract to its end, apparently. Rather than saving money with a buyout, and giving a top prospect in Grand Rapids a shot, he's going to pay him $.4.75 million for another season of what could be subpar play once again.

According to PuckPedia, a buyout would save the Red Wings a total of $3.16 million. The cost would be spread across two seasons, at an AAV of $1.583 million.

While the team does have a nice bit of cap space at $21 million, saving it for when it really matters would be helpful.

Is keeping a 33-point winger around really worth it still?

Even with RFAs like Jonatan Berggren, Elmer Soderblom, and Albert Johansson left to re-sign, it shouldn't eat into a significant amount of the piggy bank.

A savings is a savings, and seeing as Yzerman doesn't like to spend, maybe he should save it for when it counts.