Blues forward Tarasenko will become RFA: report

Forward Vladimir Tarasenko likely will not re-sign with the St. Louis Blues before he becomes a restricted free agent Wednesday, general manager Doug Armstrong told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Tuesday.

"We're having conversations, but I think both sides think it's best to keep it quiet," Armstrong told the newspaper. "I've been clear that he's a priority for us and he understands that. Now we've just got to see if we can get a deal done."

Tarasenko, 23, had a breakout season for the Blues in 2014-15, when he scored 37 goals and had 36 assists. He has 66 goals, 135 points and a plus-48 rating in 179 NHL games.

Armstrong said the Blues will not be active in the market for unrestricted free agents until Tarasenko is re-signed.

"We'll talk to our own restricted free agents, but we're going to stay away from the unrestricteds until we find out what Vladi's intentions are," he said.

Goalie Jake Allen and defenseman Robert Bortuzzo are the Blues' other pending restricted free agents.

Tarasenko can receive contract offers from other NHL teams beginning at noon ET on Wednesday. As a restricted free agent, the Blues can match any offer he receives.