For the second time in less than two weeks, a top forward has been dealt to New York.

On Thursday afternoon, the New York Rangers acquired long-time St. Louis Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko in a move that bulks up the already dominant Rangers’ top-six forwards with the added scoring power that the Russian forward has delivered in Missouri for the past 11 seasons.

Going to New York alongside Tarasenko is defenceman Niko Mikkola, and coming back to St. Louis is former Blues forward Sammy Blais, Hunter Skinner, a first round draft pick and a fourth round selection.

This deal comes 10 days after New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello dealt a prospect, a pick and a player to Vancouver for star forward Bo Horvat – who in turn signed an eight-year contract to remain on the Island even before playing a single game with the team.

2022-23 marks the final season of Tarasenko’s eight-year, $60-million contract signed back in 2015, to which he earned a $7.5 million annual average value. He will enter free agency this July as one of the most desirable snipers.

In 38 games this season, the now 31-year-old has compiled just 10 goals and 29 points – slightly behind his career average. He has scored 30+ goals in each of his past six healthy seasons, once hitting 40 (2015-16). Tarasenko has hit 70+ points three times and 80 points once. Last season the former 16th overall pick (2010) put up 34 goals and 82 points in 75 games.

He has 41 goals and 60 points in 90 career postseason games, to go along with his one Stanley Cup victory in 2019. Tarasenko put on a show in both his IIHF World Junior tournaments, scoring four times each year, while finishing with a total of 16 points (2010, 2011).

New York’s forward corps now includes the following: Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Vinny Trocheck, Alexis Lafreniere, Filip Chytil, Kaapo Kakko and Tarasenko. And with Adam Fox, Jacob Trouba, K’Andre Miller and Braden Schneider on the blueline, the team is certainly a force to reckon with.