St. Louis is where Vladimir Taraseko made his NHL debut in 2013. It’s where his two sons were born. It’s where he earned a Stanley Cup as a key member of the Blues’ run to the 2019 title.

It is, he admits, a special place in his journey from hockey roots in Russia to stardom and a hefty salary in North America.

So when the Minnesota Wild – Tarasenko’s sixth team since 2023 – return to St. Louis on Thursday ahead of their season opener at Enterprise Center, how will Tarasenko spend his limited time back in the community that first welcomed him to the NHL?

“I stay in my room, prep for the game,” he said.

“It’s not strange anymore. I still have a lot of feelings, but like they say, it’s business,” he said of another return to Missouri. “It’s your team, it’s the first game of the season. L

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