When Vladimir Tarasenko returns, how do the Saint-Louis Blues put him under the cap? – Athletic

It’s the number one question since the Blues put Vladimir Tarasenko on the Long-Term Injury Reserve (LTIR) in January, then surpassed the NHL’s $ 81.5 million salary cap: when he’s ready to come back, how will they scale its $ 7.5 million AAV? in?

Well, Tarasenko is getting closer, even to the point of skating a line with Brayden Schenn and David Perron in practice Friday before leaving for the team game on Saturday night in San Jose.

“I put him on a line today because he’s getting closer,” Blues coach Craig Berube said. “I wanted to go with the line and see what it looks like and get reps there. He’s itchy and ready to go too. It’s been a while for him and a long way. He’s done a really good job of conditioning and rehabilitating, so credit goes to him and the coaching staff on our hockey team.