Tarasenko ready to work as Blues begin camp

When news broke in the offseason that Vladimir Tarasenko had requested a trade, not many would have guessed that he would still be with the St. Louis Blues in training camp when it got underway in September.
But with a trade having not materialized, that's exactly where he was on Thursday.
"Everything is good. My mindset is good. I'm happy to be with the guys," Tarasenko said after the first day of training camp. "It was a weird summer, but that's going to stay between me and (Blues General Manager) Doug (Armstrong). I'm here to work. As long as I play here, I will work 100 percent. I'm 100 percent healthy."

"I really don't believe (the situation) is a distraction at all," Blues Head Coach Craig Berube added. "He's been here for awhile, skating with the guys, being with the guys, hanging out with the guys. I thought he looked excellent out there today. He's been part of this team for a long time. Things happen in the summer time, I don't go into all that or worry about that. He's here playing hockey for us, so I coach him. That's it. It's not a distraction in my opinion."
On Thursday, Tarasenko was skating on a line with Robert Thomas and newcomer Brandon Saad. That line certainly will be an exciting one to watch if it sticks. For now, after several extended absences due to shoulder surgery, Tarasenko is focused on contributing for the Blues.

"I don't want to be a distraction in the room," Tarasenko said. "I'm healthy and I'm happy to play hockey again. As long as I play with the Blues, I will work hard for a win. We've been here for nine years and I want to mention one thing - we always love the St. Louis community, we always try to help the community as much as we can. Me and my family are very grateful for the people who support us through these last nine years, especially this summer. We're really grateful to have this. This is our home, so I'm happy to be with the guys. Like I said before, I'm healthy and happy to work."
"Vladi is a part of our team, he's a part of our locker room, he's welcome in our locker room," added Brayden Schenn. "(The trade request is) something between him and Doug and the organization and as players, we don't get involved. Trade requests happen all the time throughout the League. He's been a good player for us for a long time, he's a huge part of winning a Stanley Cup and that's something you don't forget.
"As long as he's in our locker room, he's a big piece of our team and a big part of it."